Overview

• On the second day of the offensive, Israeli tanks advanced under heavy air, artillery and drone strikes that leveled buildings, with reports ranging from dozens to over a hundred dead.
• Military officials say troops hold roughly 40% of Gaza City, the operation could run for months and up to 130,000 reservists are being mobilized at peak strength.
• Hundreds of thousands have fled north Gaza, the IDF opened Salah al-Din Street as a temporary evacuation route, and UN agencies warn of looming famine and collapsing aid access.
• Hamas is countering with tunnel-based guerrilla tactics, mines and ambushes, as Israeli and U.S. officials cite reports that some hostages were moved to surface locations.
• International backlash is intensifying with an independent UN experts' accusation of genocide rejected by Israel and the U.S., European criticism, protests by hostage families in Jerusalem, and U.S. engagement including President Trump’s warning to Hamas and Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s talks en route to Qatar.