Israeli forces have neared the centre of Gaza City, as Hamas fighters reportedly regroup amid fears of intense street-to-street fighting. Thousands of Palestinians have been forced to flee the city since Israel launched its ground offensive last week. Israel describes the city as the 'last stronghold' of Hamas and says its aim is to 'eliminate terrorists' and rescue its 48 remaining hostages, 20 of whom are thought to be alive.
The BBC has verified footage of an Israeli tank at Hamid Junction, around 1.5km (0.9 miles) from the central al-Shifa hospital. Israeli armoured vehicles were also reportedly seen close to the main UN compound in southern Gaza City, about 700m (2297ft) from the center.
The BBC has spoken to a Hamas figure who claims the militant group is willing to call thousands of fighters into the city, raising the fear of intense fighting in dense urban areas where thousands of civilians remain. He said that Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the group's military commander, has ordered all available fighters across the Strip to converge on the city, telling them to prepare for a 'final, decisive battle'.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) estimated last week that up to 3,000 Hamas fighters were in the city. The Hamas figure claimed they had 5,000 fighters and threatened suicide attacks, though that has not been a tactic Hamas has used widely in this recent conflict. The BBC cannot independently verify these figures and Hamas has not officially commented.
International journalists have been banned by Israel from entering the Gaza Strip independently since the start of the war nearly two years ago, making verifying claims from both sides difficult. Some journalists have been taken into Gaza by the IDF under controlled access.
Israel has been trying to destroy the tunnels in Gaza to stop the militants using them for surprise attacks. But the Hamas militant claimed that some remained intact and that the group had learned from Israel's successes in destroying militant units that have attempted to hold ground in a fight.
According to residents in Gaza City, Israel has reacted to this by conducting rapid thrusts into urban areas, before pulling back within hours. The Israeli media has reported that the IDF has used damaged armoured vehicles, packed with explosives, to attack Hamas positions or destroy buildings concealing fighters.
Thousands of Palestinian families have continued to flee south along the coastal al-Rashid road, with the journey becoming prohibitively expensive. Those remaining in Gaza City face constant threat of bombardment and dwindling food and water. The situation worsens as the UN reported famine conditions in the area in late August.
The Israeli military's campaign began in response to Hamas-led attacks, which resulted in extensive casualties and hostages. The death toll in Gaza from Israeli attacks has reached at least 65,419 since the conflict escalated.
The BBC has verified footage of an Israeli tank at Hamid Junction, around 1.5km (0.9 miles) from the central al-Shifa hospital. Israeli armoured vehicles were also reportedly seen close to the main UN compound in southern Gaza City, about 700m (2297ft) from the center.
The BBC has spoken to a Hamas figure who claims the militant group is willing to call thousands of fighters into the city, raising the fear of intense fighting in dense urban areas where thousands of civilians remain. He said that Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the group's military commander, has ordered all available fighters across the Strip to converge on the city, telling them to prepare for a 'final, decisive battle'.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) estimated last week that up to 3,000 Hamas fighters were in the city. The Hamas figure claimed they had 5,000 fighters and threatened suicide attacks, though that has not been a tactic Hamas has used widely in this recent conflict. The BBC cannot independently verify these figures and Hamas has not officially commented.
International journalists have been banned by Israel from entering the Gaza Strip independently since the start of the war nearly two years ago, making verifying claims from both sides difficult. Some journalists have been taken into Gaza by the IDF under controlled access.
Israel has been trying to destroy the tunnels in Gaza to stop the militants using them for surprise attacks. But the Hamas militant claimed that some remained intact and that the group had learned from Israel's successes in destroying militant units that have attempted to hold ground in a fight.
According to residents in Gaza City, Israel has reacted to this by conducting rapid thrusts into urban areas, before pulling back within hours. The Israeli media has reported that the IDF has used damaged armoured vehicles, packed with explosives, to attack Hamas positions or destroy buildings concealing fighters.
Thousands of Palestinian families have continued to flee south along the coastal al-Rashid road, with the journey becoming prohibitively expensive. Those remaining in Gaza City face constant threat of bombardment and dwindling food and water. The situation worsens as the UN reported famine conditions in the area in late August.
The Israeli military's campaign began in response to Hamas-led attacks, which resulted in extensive casualties and hostages. The death toll in Gaza from Israeli attacks has reached at least 65,419 since the conflict escalated.
