Israeli Ground Forces Advances Towards Gaza City as Revealed by Satellite Imagery and Videos
Israeli ground forces making significant progress towards Gaza City, as confirmed by satellite imagery and official videos The densely populated Palestinian enclave faces an imminent incursion
Evidence from satellite imagery and official sources suggests that Israeli ground forces are approaching Gaza City, the heavily populated main center in the Palestinian enclave. CNN's examination of the imagery provides insight into the situation, as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) assert that they have surrounded the city.
"According to Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesman, IDF forces have completely surrounded the city of Gaza and its surroundings from the air, land, and sea. They are currently engaged in battles, where they are destroying both above ground and underground terrorist infrastructures and eliminating terrorists. This ground offensive into Gaza is part of the IDF's ongoing war against Hamas, and their troops are advancing on three different fronts - from the northwest border along the Mediterranean coast, from the northeast near Beit Hanoun, and from east to west along the south of Gaza City. This strategic approach aims to divide the strip into two."
Israeli soldiers have advanced further towards the western coastline, as per data from the European Space Agency satellite imagery released on Wednesday. The imagery suggests that the troops are now less than a kilometer away from completely surrounding Gaza City. Although the image quality is not high, it does indicate the presence of tracks left by heavily armored vehicles moving through the strip, specifically to the south of the city, and approaching the coast.
Videos of Israel's advance in southern Gaza City have not yet been released, but the IDF has shared footage on social media indicating that Israeli troops have reached the northernmost communities of Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahiya, and Atatra, and have positioned themselves around the perimeter of Gaza City from the north.
Satellite imagery and footage have also revealed that Israeli forces are present on Salah al-Din Road, a major highway in Gaza, appearing to prevent anyone remaining in Gaza City from moving south. One video, captured by freelance Palestinian journalist Yousif Al Saifi and surfaced on Monday, shows an Israeli tank firing at a car on the road.
Gaza City's urban area is inhabited by almost 2 million individuals, residing in an 88-square-mile space, resulting in a population density of approximately 21,000 people per square mile.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah, utilizing sources within the Hamas-controlled enclave, reported that Israeli attacks on Gaza have resulted in the death of over 9,000 individuals since October 7. Additionally, more than 23,000 people have been injured, according to the ministry.
Israel initiated its offensive as a response to Hamas' unexpected attack on Israel, during which the extremist faction conducted surprise cross-border raids, resulting in the loss of over 1,400 lives and the abduction of more than 240 individuals.
A man sits on debris as Palestinians conduct a search and rescue operation after the second bombardment to the Jabalya refugee camp in Gaza City, on November 1.
Ali Jadallah/Anadolu/Getty Images
Israel instructed the residents of northern Gaza to evacuate and relocate south of Wadi Gaza, a waterway dividing the central area of the strip, in preparation for their ground incursion. However, it was only on October 28, two weeks later, that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the "second stage" of the war, with the sole objective of annihilating the enemy.
Over the past week, the Israeli army has proceeded cautiously but purposefully towards Gaza City. The IDF has identified Hamas fighters, command centers, and an extensive underground tunnel network among the civilian population in this area.
According to Miri Eisin, a former Israeli colonel with expertise in military intelligence, the progress in the operation has been deliberate and methodical. This cautious approach is necessary due to the difficulties posed by urban combat and the possibility that Hamas is holding numerous Israeli hostages in their tunnel network. Eisin explained that the defensive measures employed by Hamas go beyond just the extensive tunnel system. They include booby traps, sniper attacks, suicide bombings, anti-tank missiles, and a range of other capabilities that were pre-planned as defenses against any Israeli military action in the Gaza Strip.
On Monday, satellite imagery captured breaches in the border wall and vehicle tracks indicating the entry of Israeli forces into northwestern Gaza. The troops proceeded southward along the beach and through farmland. Additional imagery revealed similar breaches in the northeastern and eastern regions.
Photos, released on Tuesday by the IDF, showcased soldiers venturing further into the strip, positioned just north of the Al Shati refugee camp. Their location was merely three miles away from the heart of Gaza City.
Another video released by the IDF and geolocated by CNN near the town of Beit Hanoun in northeast showed a group of soldiers advancing on foot through sandy terrain. Another clip showed a bulldozer clearing a path by pushing through sandy soil, aiming to eliminate IEDs.
The Qassam Brigades, which is Hamas's military wing, also shared a video claiming to depict a drone dropping munitions on Israeli soldiers. CNN's geolocation confirmed that the attack occurred east of Beit Hanoun. Hamas stated that the incident happened on Wednesday; however, CNN could not independently verify the exact date. CNN reached out to the IDF for comment on the video.
Due to the elevated danger posed by IEDs, landmines, or similar traps, the IDF employs heavily armored bulldozers to effectively clear designated "safe lanes," enabling the passage of tanks and ground forces. Additionally, these bulldozers are instrumental in navigating through streets cluttered with debris, demolishing structures, and establishing defensive positions for infantry.
Tanks on the move in Israel near the border with Gaza on November 1.
Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images
Israeli retired General Israel Ziv explained to CNN that the army's key strategy for maneuvering involved widening the fighting area. "We proactively destroy all infrastructure, both from the air and on the ground, to ensure maneuvering takes place in open areas and ruins, rather than in streets," he said.
CNN-verified videos from northern Gaza showed abandoned buildings severely damaged by Israeli airstrikes and artillery attacks before the ground operation. The absence of civilians or Hamas militants in the footage indicates that people had evacuated or retreated prior to the arrival of the Israeli military.
The exact number of civilians remaining in Gaza City is uncertain amidst a deepening humanitarian crisis. With dwindling supplies of medical resources, clean water, and food, and the gradual advancement of Israeli troops, the situation is dire.
Palestinian paramedics shed tears outside Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on October 16, 2023. Over one million individuals have been displaced from their homes in the Gaza Strip due to the chaotic and desperate situation caused by ongoing Israeli bombardment of the Hamas-controlled Palestinian territory. Israel initiated warfare against Hamas after numerous waves of its fighters breached the heavily fortified border on October 7, resulting in the loss of over 1,400 lives. (Photo: Dawood Nemer/AFP via Getty Images)
Gaza hospitals overwhelmed as Israeli strikes and fuel shortages cause surgeries without medication and patients to pile up. At Al-Shifa, the city's main hospital, a doctor revealed that the shortage of fuel has led to power outages and has hindered vital operations such as oxygen generation. The hospital is inundated with patients in need of urgent care, including displaced individuals seeking safety from Israel's aggressive attacks.
"This hospital will become a mass grave without electricity," warned Dr. Abu-Sittah. "It's that simple. If we can't keep the ventilators operational and transfer our critically wounded patients to the operating room, then there is no hope left for this facility except for it to become a place of death."
According to a statement from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) on Friday morning, at least 21 people were injured at Al-Quds Hospital due to Israeli airstrikes in the Tal Al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City. Numerous individuals are seeking refuge at the hospital.
CNN has requested a comment from the Israeli military. The IDF consistently claims that it specifically targets Hamas commanders or infrastructure and encourages civilians to relocate south when questioned by CNN about specific airstrikes in northern Gaza.
Contributors to this report: CNN's Katie Polglase, Andrew Carey, Tamar Michaelis, Allegra Goodwin, and Mike Pratt.
