On 16 September 2025, Israel began its long-anticipated ground invasion of Gaza City. Sources disagree on the exact figure, but the consensus is hundreds of thousands of Gazans have been displaced since Israel announced its plan to occupy the city in mid-August. Still, according to the BBC, many Palestinians have been unable to flee to Israeli and U.N.-designated “humanitarian areas” to the city’s South due to overcrowding and rising travel costs. The BBC estimates at least 650,000 could remain in Gaza City. The I.D.F. reports it has attacked hundreds of targets since 16 September 2025, and according to Reuters, Gaza City is under a complete telecommunications blackout as Israeli tanks and infantry move toward the heart of the city.
The escalation in Israel’s ground campaign comes amid intense backlash from the international community; shortly after Israel announced the invasion, the U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel returned a finding that Israel was, in fact, committing genocide in Gaza. In an NPR interview, Navi Pillay, chair of this commission, stated that Israel’s actions to harm the Palestinian population and dehumanizing statements by Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Gallant are indicative of genocide under the U.N. Genocide Convention.
In addition, U.S. Senators Van Hollen (D) and Merkley (D) condemned the Netanyahu government for using hunger as a weapon to collectively punish and ethnically cleanse Palestinians after returning from a trip to Israel, the West Bank, and Egypt. Reactions across Europe also inveigh against Israel’s war; The Times of Israel reports British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper called the campaign “utterly reckless and appalling,” and the E.U. urged Israel to cease operations in Gaza City, lest they “aggravate the already catastrophic humanitarian situation that also endangers the lives of hostages.” Even families of Israeli captives are growing tired of the senseless violence, with thousands of protestors marching to show their resolve for a ceasefire deal with Hamas to secure their loved ones’ return, as reported by Al Jazeera.
At the time of writing, Israel’s offensive enters its third day of devastation, and the suffering of the Palestinian population is at an all-time high as, per Israeli Defense Minister Katz, “Gaza is burning.” The offensive has received harsh condemnation from nations and NGOs worldwide. Yet, the United States continues to support Israel. Just recently, the Trump Administration announced it is seeking congressional approval to sell $6.4 billion worth of attack helicopters and Joint Light Tactical Vehicles to Israel. Additionally, in a U.N. Security Council meeting, the U.S. voted against a resolution for an immediate and indefinite ceasefire in Gaza. While not a guaranteed solution, U.S. condemnation would make it difficult for Israel to continue its offensive and war given the American economic and military aid it receives, as well as America’s influence in geopolitics.
The United States has supported Israel’s efforts in Gaza since the conflict began on October 7th, 2023, when Hamas insurgents attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 250 others hostage. In response, Israel declared war on Hamas and has attacked Palestine ever since, razing entire cities in the Gaza Strip. As the war nears its second anniversary, the Gaza Health Ministry reports the death toll has passed 65,000, along with more than 165,000 wounded in Israeli attacks, according to PBS. While the events of October 7th were tragic, and returning hostages is imperative, the ends do not justify Israel’s means — in this case, genocide.
The crisis in Gaza faces increasing backlash as the war goes on, as American politicians, the British government, the E.U., and many NGOs severely criticize Israel and the Netanyahu Administration. Ending this humanitarian disaster is of utmost importance, and the United States stands in a unique position to pressure Israel to relent its brutal campaign by joining the majority of the international community in condemning it. If nothing is done to stop the bloodshed, future generations will wonder why their predecessors sat by and watched a preventable genocide occur.