Gaza City, Gaza Strip – September 8, 2025
Israeli Attacks Continue Across Gaza City, At Least 52 Killed. A new wave of intense Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire has hit multiple locations across the Gaza Strip since dawn, with at least 52 people reported killed, including 32 in Gaza City alone. The latest casualties come as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly ordered residents of Gaza City to “leave now,” signaling an imminent ground offensive into the densely populated urban center. The renewed attacks and the threat of a full-scale ground invasion have sent a new wave of panic through the city, where aid organizations report a dire and worsening humanitarian crisis.
Headline Points:
* Deadly Airstrikes: At least 52 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip since Monday, with the Gaza Health Ministry reporting that 32 of those casualties occurred in Gaza City.
* Imminent Ground Invasion: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s directive for residents to “leave now” has intensified fears of a full-scale ground offensive on Gaza City, which is home to approximately one million people.
* Humanitarian Catastrophe: Aid agencies are sounding the alarm, stating that Gaza City has been confirmed to be in a state of famine and that more than 28% of children under five are now suffering from acute malnutrition.
* Destruction of Infrastructure: The Israeli military has continued to destroy high-rise residential buildings, accusing Hamas of using them for surveillance. At least one building was destroyed in the past 24 hours, following a trend of similar attacks over the past week.
* International Condemnation: The United Nations human rights chief, Volker Türk, has condemned Israel for the “mass killing of Palestinian civilians” and “hindering of sufficient lifesaving aid,” saying the country has a case to answer before the International Court of Justice.
* Regional Tensions: The attacks follow a deadly shooting in occupied East Jerusalem that killed six Israelis, and subsequent Israeli raids in the occupied West Bank that have killed at least two Palestinian teenagers.
The latest escalation in violence follows a period of heightened tensions across the region. Israeli officials have blamed two Palestinians from the occupied West Bank for a shooting that killed six people in East Jerusalem. In retaliation, Israeli forces have conducted violent raids in the West Bank, killing at least two 14-year-old boys in Jenin and wounding many others.
In Gaza City, the situation on the ground is catastrophic. Aid organizations, including the UN’s Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), have confirmed that famine is now occurring, and that more than 28% of young children in the city are acutely malnourished. The UNRWA reports that it has not been allowed to bring humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip for nearly six months, exacerbating the crisis.
The Israeli military has also continued its policy of targeting and destroying high-rise residential buildings in Gaza City, claiming that Hamas is using them for surveillance and military operations. These attacks, often following a warning to residents to evacuate, have further displaced thousands and reduced vast areas of the city to rubble. The ongoing bombardment has forced tens of thousands of people to flee south, with roads reportedly packed with residents carrying what few belongings they can.
The international response has been a mix of condemnation and diplomatic efforts. The UN human rights chief’s statement is among the strongest international rebukes to date. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has issued a “last warning” to Hamas, urging them to accept a new ceasefire and hostage release deal. The outcome of these diplomatic efforts remains uncertain as the war on the ground continues to escalate, raising fears of an even more devastating phase of the conflict.
