The Israeli military launched its long-planned ground offensive into Gaza City on Tuesday, further escalating the nearly two-year war that has killed thousands as Israel hopes to take control of a key area in the northern part of the enclave.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said its “activity” in Gaza City started and is expected to “expand in line with the current situational assessment.”

“Its aim is to achieve the war’s objectives in Gaza and to enhance the achievements made during combat,” the IDF wrote in a post on social platform X.

Israel has been building up for the incursion in recent weeks, arguing that the takeover is necessary to bar Palestinian militant group Hamas from organizing in the area and launching attacks. The plans have sparked pushback from the international comm

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