Storyline: Israeli military personnel said on Tuesday that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had begun the main phase of its ground offensive in Gaza City and will gradually boost its troops during the operations which are expected to last for several months. In a statement on Tuesday, the IDF said that the 162nd and 98th divisions are expanding their operations in Gaza City, and the 36th division will join them in the coming days, adding that the 99th and Gaza divisions are conducting operations in the northern and southern Gaza Strip, respectively. According to IDF estimates, there are approximately 3,000 Hamas militants in Gaza City. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that if Hamas does not release hostages and disarm, the Gaza Strip "will be destroyed." On the same day, Israeli military spokesman Effie Defrin told a press conference at the Gaza border that the IDF is in control of "widespread" areas of Gaza City, following weeks of intensive operations in the city's neighborhoods of Zeitoun, Sheikh Radwan and Jabalia. Defrin also said that the IDF estimates that over 350,000 Palestinians had fled the city and headed for other parts of the Gaza Strip in recent weeks. He said that "in accordance with international law," the IDF has "adjusted humanitarian assistance" for Gazans leaving Gaza City. Defrin claimed that "Hamas has set up the largest human shield in history" in Gaza City. In a statement issued late on the day, Hamas described the IDF spokesman's accusation that it was using residential buildings in Gaza City for military purposes as "blatant lies," saying that Israel's rhetoric is intended to cover up its systematic destruction of Gaza City, similar to its previous destruction of areas such as Rafah, Khan Younis, Jabaliya, Beit Hanoun, and Beit Lahia. Hamas also said that the Israeli military's accusation of it using civilians as human shields and preventing them from leaving Gaza City is "pure deception.” All this showcases the Israeli military's disregard for international public opinion and its insistence on continuing its brutal massacre of innocent civilians and forcibly displacing them, with the goal of expelling them from the Gaza Strip, according to Hamas. Also on Tuesday, IDF Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir said in a statement that the return of hostages "is a war aim and a national and moral commitment." Zamir said that over the past day, following extensive discussions at the political level, the IDF has significantly stepped up its operations in Gaza City. Troops are currently advancing deep into the region, with ground forces, precision firepower, and high-quality intelligence working in concert, he said. Zamir emphasized that all operations are proceeding according to plan and in an orderly manner, with the purpose of intensifying its attacks on Hamas until it is completely defeated. Shotlist: Gaza City, Gaza Strip - Sept 15, 2025: 1. Al-Ghafri Tower being bombed, thick smoke 2. Various of thick smoke, local residents Gaza City, Gaza Strip - Sept 11, 2025: 3. Buildings being bombed, thick smoke 4. Various of destroyed buildings, debris, displaced Palestinians Gaza Strip - Sept 6, 2025: 5. Various of vehicles, displaced Palestinians on road. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]