Faith Nyasuguta
The Israeli army has declared Gaza City, home to nearly one million Palestinians, a “dangerous combat zone,” a move that effectively removes any temporary pauses in military activity across the city. The announcement, delivered in a military statement, has sparked global concern, as it places civilians already trapped in dire humanitarian conditions at even greater risk.
The declaration signals Israel’s intent to intensify its offensive against Hamas and other militant groups despite warnings from humanitarian agencies about the devastating toll on ordinary residents. According to the army, operations will continue with “airstrikes, ground maneuvers, and targeted missions” against what it calls “terrorist organizations,” even as it insists that it remains committed to “facilitating humanitarian support” in the wider Gaza Strip.
For the nearly one million people still in Gaza City, the designation means increased danger as bombardments and military raids escalate. Entire neighborhoods have already been flattened, while hospitals, schools, and makeshift shelters struggle to cope with the influx of wounded and displaced. The enclave has endured 11 months of unrelenting warfare, leaving much of it in ruins and its population teetering on the brink of famine.
Since the war began in October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed at least 63,000 Palestinians, according to health officials in Gaza. The death toll includes thousands of women and children, with countless others buried under rubble. Aid groups say the destruction of infrastructure has made it nearly impossible to deliver food, medicine, and clean water, compounding an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
International outrage has continued to mount. Human rights organizations accuse Israel of collective punishment and violating international humanitarian law by carrying out indiscriminate assaults in one of the most densely populated areas on earth. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both condemned the latest move, warning that declaring an entire city a combat zone strips civilians of any protections under the laws of war.
The legal pressure on Israel’s leadership has also intensified. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza. Separately, the International Court of Justice is hearing a genocide case against Israel, brought forward by South Africa, which argues that the scale of destruction and killing meets the threshold for genocidal intent.
Despite these mounting legal and diplomatic challenges, Israel has continued its campaign, framing it as necessary for national security. Military officials insist the operations are aimed solely at dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities. Yet, for Palestinians in Gaza City, the reality remains one of relentless airstrikes, collapsing buildings, and daily funerals.
Global leaders have urged restraint, but little has changed on the ground. Calls for a ceasefire have been repeatedly blocked at the United Nations Security Council, while Western allies of Israel, including the United States and the United Kingdom, continue to provide military and political backing despite growing domestic criticism.
As Gaza City now bears the official label of a “dangerous combat zone,” its nearly one million residents face an increasingly uncertain future. With famine looming, hospitals overwhelmed, and diplomatic pressure yielding no breakthrough, the city stands as the most harrowing symbol of a war that shows no sign of ending.
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