Urban fighting rages in Gaza as Israel-Hamas war enters third month

US President Joe Biden has stressed the necessity to protect Gaza civilians in talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahuon Thursdayas Israel is advancing its ground invasion from the northern to southern part of Gaza, targeting Hamas.

Heavy urban combat raged in and around Gaza's biggest cities as the bloodiest ever conflict between Israel and Hamas entered its third month since the October 7 attacks. Israeli forces backed by air power, tanks and armoured bulldozers were fighting Hamas in Khan Yunis, the biggest city in southern Gaza, as well as in Gaza City and the nearby Jabalia district in the north. 

An increasingly dire humanitarian situation prompted United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to invoke a rare measure to seek a ceasefire. The death toll has soared to 17,177 according to the Hamas-run health ministry.