According to jerusalam post, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have taken operational control of more than half of Gaza City, as over 800,000 of the city’s estimated one million residents have evacuated in recent weeks, according to sources in the IDF Southern Command.
The breakthrough comes as Israel intensifies its ongoing Operation Gideon’s Chariots II, a campaign designed to dismantle Hamas’s military infrastructure and regain strategic ground. The Southern Command said the gains were made possible by “coordinated maneuvers at multiple points by various divisions,” which combined extensive ground advances with nightly air raids.
“In recent days, the IDF has expanded the scope of strikes across Gaza City, targeting more than 140 sites each night,” the sources confirmed, emphasizing the scale of Israel’s assault on Hamas targets embedded across urban neighborhoods.
The IDF now holds sway over multiple neighborhoods across Gaza City, some of which have long served as Hamas strongholds.
In the southwest, Tel al-Hawa has been the site of repeated battles, as Israeli forces struck both from the air and on the ground. Despite previous damage inflicted by Israeli operations, Hamas rebuilt much of its infrastructure there, necessitating further action.
Nearby Al-Nadi,an area known for its low rise buildings ,was historically used by militants as a hideout. Forces also pushed into Sheikh Ajleen, a coastal neighborhood where Israel has carried out heavy bombardments over recent months.
In the southeast, Zeitoun emerged early in the conflict as one of the central combat zones, particularly during the first phase of the war and Operation Gideon’s Chariots I.
To the east, the district of Shuja’iya remains one of the most bitterly contested zones. The neighborhood, which Israeli officials describe as one of Gaza’s most violent terror hubs, was a launch point for waves of Hamas fighters who participated in the October 7 massacre.
In the northeast, Israeli troops are also advancing into Tuffah, where long-term operations are focused on locating and destroying underground networks and weapons stockpiles.
Despite these advances, several key areas remain outside Israel’s reach. Al-Rimal, long regarded as the “heart” of Gaza City, is still under Hamas influence. The area is home to many of Gaza’s elite, alongside financial institutions, universities, and government centers.
The Old City, with its narrow streets and historic character, is also believed to serve as a haven for armed fighters. The IDF has yet to gain control of the Al-Shati refugee camp and the Sabra neighborhood.
Military sources added that in certain zones, details could not be publicly disclosed, but Israeli forces were imposing sieges in anticipation of fierce resistance. With the majority of civilians having already fled Gaza City, commanders believe it will be easier to press the offensive using both aerial bombardments and ground maneuvers.
The ongoing military campaign highlights Israel’s strategy of systematically breaking Hamas’s grip on Gaza City, block by block, while attempting to minimize its exposure to urban guerrilla warfare. Yet the scale of displacement over 800,000 residents forced to leave underscores the devastating humanitarian toll as the battle for Gaza City intensifies.