Critics question what a risky advance can achieve that nearly two years of war have failed to accomplish.
Israel has accused the militant group of using the vital port to transfer Iranian weaponry used in recent attacks amid the wider regional war.
Some of Israel’s oldest allies criticized its latest military assault in Gaza and warned of a deepening humanitarian crisis.
After intensified operations over the past week, the military said troops would gradually advance into the city, believing that at least 2,000 Hamas fighters remain there.
Palestinians in the city sought shelter in buildings as tanks and ground troops rolled in. Some said they were too terrified to leave.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke about Gaza ahead of a short Tuesday visit to Qatar, which is angry over an Israeli strike against Hamas leaders on its territory.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke about Gaza ahead of a short Tuesday visit to Qatar, which is angry over an Israeli strike against Hamas leaders on its territory.
In earlier reports, the commission found that Israel had committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in its conflict with Hamas, but stopped short of calling it genocide. Israel denounced the accusation as “fake.”
The long-planned take over of the city began early Tuesday, according to officials, despite hundreds of thousands of people still sheltering there.
The long-planned take over of the city began early Tuesday, according to officials, despite hundreds of thousands of people still sheltering there.