— The Israeli military said it controls roughly 40% of Gaza City after recent ground and air advances and announced plans to widen the campaign in the coming days. Gaza health authorities reported at least 53 people killed that day as bombardment and tank movements forced and displaced civilians across multiple neighbourhoods.
Key Takeaways
- The Israeli military said it holds about 40% of Gaza City, including parts of Zeitoun and Sheikh Radwan.
- Gaza health authorities reported at least 53 deaths on Sept. 4, mostly in Gaza City.
- Israel says around 70,000 civilians have moved south after evacuation orders; Palestinian officials dispute that figure.
- Tanks advanced into eastern Sheikh Radwan while air strikes hit Zeitoun, Tuffah, Sabra and Shejaia.
- Humanitarian agencies warn the displacement is especially dangerous for malnourished children; 370 deaths from starvation were reported recently.
- Israel links the operation to dismantling militant tunnels and recovering hostages; 48 hostages remain unaccounted for, about 20 believed alive.
Verified Facts
The Israeli military publicly stated on Sept. 4 that its forces now control roughly 40% of Gaza City, identifying neighbourhoods such as Zeitoun and Sheikh Radwan as areas of recent advance. Military spokespeople said the operation aims to remove Hamas infrastructure and will expand over the next days.
Gaza health authorities reported at least 53 fatalities on the same day, most in Gaza City, with medics describing heavy strikes that damaged multiple homes. In the Tuffah neighbourhood, medics reported strikes that damaged five houses and killed eight people, with dozens wounded.
Tanks were reported moving into the eastern Sheikh Radwan district northwest of the city centre, and fires were seen in tent encampments used by displaced families. Local emergency services said whole buildings were destroyed in parts of Tuffah and that civilian gatherings and homes were hit.
Israeli officials said troops are operating on the outskirts to locate weapons and dismantle a network of militant tunnels. Israel has repeatedly tied its ground campaign to the recovery of hostages taken during the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks and to dismantling Hamas’ command and control inside urban areas.
Context & Impact
Gaza City was heavily damaged during intense fighting in October–November 2023. Before the war about one million people lived in the city; many returned to the ruins as fighting shifted across the territory. Repeated evacuation orders and new offensives have produced waves of displacement.
Humanitarian responders and Palestinian NGOs warn that further displacement will worsen shortages of food, water and shelter. Officials say 370 people, including 131 children, have died of malnutrition and starvation in recent weeks, figures that underline urgent supply gaps.
International concern has grown over civilian harm and the long-term prospects for Gaza’s governance and recovery. Within Israel, there are reported debates over post-conflict arrangements; military leaders have warned that, without a clear day-after plan, military governance could be considered.
- Displacement risks: overcrowding in temporary camps, interruption of medical care, and increased exposure to disease.
- Political impact: internal Israeli debates over Gaza’s future and calls by some lawmakers for military rule or settlement plans.
“We continue to damage Hamas’ infrastructure. Today we hold 40% of the territory of Gaza City. The operation will continue to expand and intensify in the coming days.”
Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, Israeli military spokesperson
Unconfirmed
- Exact number of civilians who have left Gaza City: Israel cites about 70,000 moving south; Palestinian officials say fewer than half that number left.
- Precise status and survival of some hostages: 48 remain unaccounted for and about 20 are believed to be alive, but individual cases are still being verified.
- Full scale of infrastructure damage in recently contested districts remains being assessed.
Bottom Line
Israel’s declaration of control over roughly 40% of Gaza City marks a further stage in a prolonged and destructive campaign. Immediate consequences include increased civilian casualties and dangerous displacement, while political debates about Gaza’s future and how to secure hostages remain unresolved. Humanitarian access and a clear post-conflict plan will be central to the next phase.