Jakarta – Egypt has strongly condemned teh Israeli ground offensive launched into Gaza City, the largest city in the Gaza Strip. The ⁤Egyptian government has warned of the potential for a humanitarian disaster resulting‍ from the military operation.

The condemnation was ⁢issued by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, as reported by the AFP news ⁤agency on‍ Wednesday, September⁤ 17, 2025. The statement asserts that the⁢ Israeli attack demonstrates a disregard for the safety of civilians and escalates⁣ the ongoing conflict.

According to reports, a military official confirmed the commencement of the ground offensive in Gaza City. The Israeli military, ‍speaking through a Tel Aviv-based official, estimated the presence of approximately 2,000 to 3,000 Hamas militants operating within the area. This assessment underscores the challenges facing Israeli forces as ‍they attempt ⁢to dismantle Hamas infrastructure and neutralize its fighters.

Background: The Israeli-Palestinian ‍conflict

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a decades-long dispute‍ over land and self-determination. The Gaza Strip,controlled by Hamas as 2007,has been subject to an Israeli ⁣blockade,severely restricting the movement of‍ people and goods. Britannica‍ provides ⁢a comprehensive overview of⁣ the ⁣Arab-israeli‍ conflict, detailing its past roots and ‍key events.

Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, and the European Union,⁢ has engaged in repeated rocket attacks against Israel. Israel responds with airstrikes and, increasingly, ground operations aimed ⁤at destroying Hamas infrastructure and preventing further attacks. The ⁤current offensive follows a period of heightened tensions and escalating violence.

Estimates⁢ of Hamas ⁣militant Strength

The Israeli military’s estimate of 2,000-3,000 Hamas militants in Gaza City ⁣highlights the complexity of the operation. ‍ Accurate figures are ⁣arduous to obtain due to the clandestine nature of Hamas’s operations. However, this estimate suggests a important armed presence within the ‍densely ‍populated urban environment.