'Gaza is burning,' Israel defense minister says
"Gaza is burning," Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a post to X on Tuesday as the Israel Defense Forces began its offensive on the largest city in the Gaza Strip.
"The IDF strikes with an iron fist at the terrorist infrastructure and IDF soldiers are fighting bravely to create the conditions for the release of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas," Katz wrote.
"We will not relent and we will not go back -- until the completion of the mission," he added.
Video footage from the area showed multiple large explosions in Gaza City on Tuesday as the IDF pressed its offensive.
IDF confirms that Gaza City offensive is underway
Israel's offensive on Gaza City began overnight, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed on Tuesday morning.
The IDF said that the maneuver to occupy the city began with two divisions. A third is expected to join the action.
"Its aim is to achieve the war's objectives in Gaza and to enhance the achievements made during combat," the IDF said in a post to X.