IDF advances in Zeitoun

The Israeli military reports a new ground operation in Zeitoun near Gaza City as it widens its offensive and tightens control amid a growing humanitarian crisis.

IDF advances in Zeitoun as Gaza offensive widens

The Israeli military said it destroyed dozens of so called terror targets in Zeitoun on the outskirts of Gaza City as part of a new push launched earlier in the week. The operation is led by the 99th Division with the Nahal Infantry Brigade and the 7th Armored Brigade, and aims to locate explosives, dismantle terrorist infrastructure, and establish greater control around the city. The army reported clashes, including an RPG incident that did not injure soldiers, and said it killed several terrorists in the area.

Separately, the IDF announced it had sealed seven kilometers of Hamas tunnels in Beit Hanoun with concrete over the past month, using a dedicated pumping system and a long pipeline from the border to the tunnels. The combined effort, the military said, dealt a serious setback to the Beit Hanoun Battalion while continuing offensive operations. The United Nations and aid groups say aid delivery remains critical as Gaza faces a deepening hunger crisis, with hundreds of thousands of people reliant on relief supplies. The UN also notes that much aid still does not reach those in need, even as convoys and airdrops continue. Civilians have been warned to evacuate and the air force has intensified strikes in the area, underscoring the strain on civilians caught in the fighting.

The Zeitoun push signals a shift to street level combat on the outskirts of Gaza City, raising questions about civilian risk and the pace of any planned broader seizure. Sealing tunnels with concrete shows a preference for a technique that can outlast demolition blasts, but it also prolongs the disruption of underground networks that communities rely on during crises. International observers warn that even with such tactics, civilians bear the brunt of the fighting and aid corridors remain unreliable. The numbers and timing of offensives will shape political risk for leaders on both sides and influence how long the siege of Gaza City endures. As aid deliveries continue, the world watches whether relief can reach those in need while avoiding new humanitarian catastrophes.

Highlights

The coming days will reveal whether tactical gains translate into lasting relief for civilians