The Israel Defense Forces pressed deeper into Gaza City on Sunday, striking what it called Hamas’s main stronghold above and below ground, as three divisions advanced and urban combat intensified.

IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said troops are “turning over every stone” to dismantle Hamas’s networks and bring home the remaining hostages. “Hamas has shown the world its true strategy: to exploit its own people and prolong this war,” he said.

Hamas tactics under fire

Defrin cited a string of incidents over the past week that, he said, exposed Hamas’s methods:

• Fire directed at a UN team operating in the area.

• Stolen UN vehicles used to obstruct construction of a new aid road.

• Armed robbery of four UNICEF trucks carrying baby formula, “depriving thousands of infants.”

He added that Hamas continues to block civilians from leaving combat zones—“choosing to sacrifice Gaza’s residents rather than protect them.”

Civilian protections and aid corridors

The IDF said it is conducting a wide civilian-warning effort—voice messages, leaflet drops, texts, and direct calls—while designating a humanitarian area in Khan Yunis and expanding southern infrastructure: field hospitals, water lines, desalination capacity, and sustained deliveries of food, tents, medicines, and medical gear.

“Tons of supplies are waiting at the Kerem Shalom crossing for pickup by the UN and partner agencies,” Defrin noted, urging immediate distribution “directly to Gazans.” According to the IDF, more than 550,000 civilians have evacuated south from Gaza City.

The military picture

Regular and reserve forces from the 162nd, 98th, and 36th divisions are operating inside Hamas bastions, targeting command nodes, tunnel access points, and weapons depots. The focus, Defrin said, is synchronized air–ground–intelligence strikes designed to degrade the group’s urban defenses while keeping evacuation routes open.

Hostages remain the hinge

“As the Jewish New Year arrives, 48 hostages remain in Hamas’s grip,” Defrin said. “Their captivity is an unfinished chapter of this war—and we will not close it until they are home.”

Bottom line: Israel says the fight in Gaza City is now concentrated in Hamas’s core terrain, paired with expanded humanitarian corridors in the south. Jerusalem’s message is unchanged: the war ends when the hostages are home and Hamas can no longer rule or rearm.

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