Offensive Launched Immediately After Netanyahu and Rubio Meeting
"Rubio Urges: 'We Support the Operation, But It Must End Quickly'"
On September 15 (local time), the Israeli military launched a ground assault aimed at seizing Gaza City, the largest city in the Gaza Strip. After previously conducting only limited offensives, Israel has now deployed ground forces and begun a full-scale attack. Concerns are mounting that the war in Gaza could escalate further, especially as the United States appears to be tacitly permitting this offensive.
The U.S. online media outlet Axios, citing Israeli government officials, reported that Israeli tanks entered Gaza City on the evening of the 15th, immediately following a large-scale airstrike by the Israeli Air Force.
On the 15th (local time), smoke is rising from an Israeli airstrike on the outskirts of Gaza City. Photo by EPA Yonhap News
Al Jazeera, quoting the Palestinian news agency Wafa, reported that Israeli fighter jets carried out airstrikes on Gaza City that night, followed by attacks from Israeli artillery and drones.
The Israeli government stated that this offensive is intended to drive out Hamas, the Palestinian militant faction.
According to media reports, Eyal Zamir, Chief of Staff of the Israeli military, along with the heads of intelligence agencies such as Mossad and Shin Bet, warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the risks and urged him to refrain from launching the operation. However, he reportedly pressed ahead with the attack.
There had been signs of an impending assault. Recently, the Israeli military issued evacuation orders to residents, signaling a ground offensive on Gaza City. According to the Israeli military, approximately 300,000 Palestinians have already left the area.
This ground attack came just hours after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Israel and met with Prime Minister Netanyahu and senior cabinet officials.
The Donald Trump administration appears to be showing tacit approval for Israel's ground operation. Two Israeli officials stated that Secretary Rubio told Prime Minister Netanyahu, "The Trump administration supports the ground operation but wants it to end as quickly as possible."
A senior Israeli official said, "Secretary Rubio did not put the brakes on the ground operation."
Gaza City is a densely populated area in the northern Gaza Strip. Axios expressed concerns that this operation will further intensify the war in Gaza and deepen the humanitarian crisis.
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