As more than 800,000 of one million residents of the city have evacuated, the IDF has gained operational control of more than half of Gaza City as of Saturday, according to sources in the IDF Southern Command.
Sources in the Southern Command told Walla that the IDF’s territorial gains resulted from coordinated maneuvers at multiple points by various divisions as part of Operation Gideon’s Chariots II.
In recent days, the IDF has expanded the scope of strikes across Gaza City, targeting more than 140 sites each night. The sources further stated that the IDF now controls several neighborhoods within the city.
Gaza City neighborhoods under IDF control
The IDF now controls several neighborhoods across Gaza City. In the southwest, in Tel al-Hawa, the IDF has operated in this neighborhood from the air and ground multiple times during the war. Despite military efforts, Hamas has rebuilt its terror infrastructure there.
Nearby, Al-Nadi, an area composed of low-rise buildings, also served as a hideout for terrorists over the years.
Also in Sheikh Ajleen, a neighborhood near the coast in the southwest of the city, the IDF has conducted massive air and ground strikes in recent months against terror pockets.
In the southeast of Gaza City, Zeitoun was a central combat zone at the start of the war and during Operation Gideon’s Chariots I.
In eastern Gaza City, Shuja’iya, one of the city’s most violent terror hubs, was the launch point for multiple waves of terrorists responsible for the October 7 massacre, and has been the site of intense fighting.
Lastly, in northeastern Gaza City, Tuffah has been a focus of long-term operations aimed at locating and destroying terror infrastructure.
Gaza City neighborhoods not yet under IDF control
Among the Gaza City neighborhoods not yet under IDF control is Al-Rimal. It has been home to Gaza’s elite and senior Hamas figures. The area is considered the city’s “heart,” hosting decades of banking infrastructure, Palestinian government institutions, universities, and media sites.
Additionally, the Old City, a historic center in the heart of Gaza City, is reportedly used as a hideout for terrorists. The IDF also has yet to gain control of the Al-Shati refugee camp and the Sabra neighborhood.
In some areas that cannot be detailed, the IDF is imposing a siege, understanding that armed fighters are present. Additionally, the fact that the vast majority of Palestinians have fled Gaza City will make it easier for the IDF to take the city through airstrikes and ground maneuvers.