Israel begins offensive in Gaza City as UN probe accuses it of genocide

Ground incursion begins after night of massive bombardment of urban hub

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Israel unleashed a ground incursion into Gaza City on Sept 6 after visiting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio backed its goal of eradicating Hamas and warned that only days may be left for a diplomatic solution.

A United Nations probe, meanwhile, charged Israel with committing “genocide” in Gaza in a bid to “destroy the Palestinians”. It accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials of incitement.

The assault drew widespread condemnation, with the UN’s rights chief demanding an end to the “carnage”.

During the night, the Israeli military unleashed a massive bombardment of Gaza City as it moved deeper into the territory’s largest urban hub.

“Last night, we transitioned into the next phase, the main phase of the plan for Gaza City... IDF (military) southern command forces have expanded ground activity into Hamas’ main stronghold in Gaza, which is Gaza City,’ an Israeli military official told journalists. “We are moving towards the centre” of Gaza City.

The military estimated that there were 2,000 to 3,000 Hamas militants operating in the area, he added.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said early on Sept 16 that Gaza City, the territory’s main urban hub, was “on fire”.

“The IDF is striking terrorist infrastructure with an iron fist, and IDF soldiers are fighting bravely to create the necessary conditions for the release of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas,” he said.

“We will not relent and we will not back down until the mission is accomplished,” Mr Katz said.

Commenting on Israel's massive incursion into Gaza City, US President Donald Trump pointed at Hamas and warned the group it would be in “big trouble” if it uses hostages as human shields.