Israel Says ‘Gaza Is Burning’ As It Launches Huge Ground Assault

GAZA CITY – Israel unleashed a long-threatened ground assault on Gaza City on Tuesday, declaring “Gaza is burning” as Palestinians there described the most intense bombardment they had faced in two years of war.

An Israeli Defense Forces official said ground troops were moving deeper into the enclave’s main city, and that the number of soldiers would rise in the coming days to confront up to 3,000 Hamas combatants the IDF believes are still in the city.

Gaza health officials reported at least 40 people killed, most in Gaza City, as air strikes swept across the city and tanks advanced.