Israeli Offensive Escalates in Gaza City with Use of Exploding Armored Personnel Carriers
Gaza City, Gaza Strip – Israeli forces have intensified their military offensive in Gaza City, employing exploding armored personnel carriers (APCs) as part of operations that began on December 31, 2025. This escalation comes amid ongoing clashes, with reports of at least two Palestinians killed in recent strikes across Gaza, as humanitarian concerns mount over the closure of the Rafah crossing.
The offensive, described as high-severity by monitoring sources, marks a significant push by Israeli troops into densely populated areas of Gaza City. Eyewitness accounts and initial reports indicate that the use of modified or rigged APCs—designed to detonate upon impact or remotely—has been integrated into ground operations to target militant positions. These tactics aim to neutralize threats while minimizing risks to advancing infantry, according to military analyses of similar past deployments. The operation's start coincides with heightened tensions in southern Gaza, where control over key border points remains contested.
In a related development covered by Al Jazeera, Israeli forces killed two individuals in Gaza on January 6, 2026, prompting urgent calls from Palestinians for the reopening of the Rafah crossing—the primary conduit for humanitarian aid and civilian evacuations between Gaza and Egypt. The crossing, seized by Israeli troops in May 2024, has been intermittently closed, exacerbating a dire humanitarian crisis. Palestinians have framed the demand as essential for survival, with aid convoys stalled and medical supplies critically low.
Ongoing Operations and Regional Context
The Gaza City offensive builds on a pattern of sustained Israeli military activity that has persisted into 2026. Posts found on X from Al Jazeera English highlight continued attacks, including strikes in Khan Younis that killed at least three Palestinians on January 5, 2026, alongside demolitions in northern Gaza and persistent aid blockages. These reports, while reflecting public sentiment, remain inconclusive without independent verification. Israeli media, as noted in earlier X updates, had indicated preparations to reopen Rafah in both directions following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's U.S. visit in early January, though no confirmation of implementation has emerged.
Israel's military operations in Gaza stem from the broader Israel-Hamas war, ignited by Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack that killed around 1,200 people and took over 250 hostages. Israel's response has involved extensive airstrikes, ground incursions, and buffer zone creations, resulting in over 45,000 Palestinian deaths according to Gaza health authorities as of late 2025. Gaza City, once home to over 500,000 residents, has seen repeated evacuations and infrastructure destruction, with much of the urban core reduced to rubble.
The introduction of exploding APCs represents an evolution in tactics. Historically, Israel has used remote-controlled or booby-trapped vehicles in high-risk urban warfare, such as during operations in Jenin in 2002 and more recently in Gaza. These "suicide vehicles" carry explosives to breach fortified positions or eliminate roadside bombs, reducing soldier casualties. However, their deployment in populated areas has drawn criticism from human rights groups for potential civilian risks, though Israeli officials maintain strict adherence to international law.
Humanitarian Fallout and Rafah Standoff
The Rafah crossing's status remains a flashpoint. Seized by Israel in May 2024 to curb alleged weapons smuggling, it has operated sporadically under Egyptian and international oversight. Recent Palestinian appeals underscore its closure's impact: fuel shortages have crippled hospitals, and food insecurity affects 96% of Gaza's 2.3 million people, per United Nations data. Aid agencies report that over 100 trucks are backed up daily, with winter conditions worsening displacement for 1.9 million internally displaced persons.
Israeli statements, via official channels, justify the operations as necessary to dismantle Hamas infrastructure and secure hostages—approximately 100 of whom remain in Gaza as of January 2026. Ceasefire talks, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S., have stalled over demands for permanent truces versus temporary pauses.
Background: A Protracted Conflict
The current offensive occurs against a backdrop of strategic shifts. Following the partial withdrawal from Rafah in mid-2025, Israel redirected focus to northern and central Gaza, including Gaza City, to prevent Hamas regrouping. Demolitions and "sterile zones" have expanded, displacing thousands. Internationally, the International Court of Justice's 2024 orders for Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza remain contentious, with compliance debated.
Outlook Amid Uncertainty
As the Gaza City offensive unfolds, international pressure for de-escalation grows. The U.S. has urged restraint while providing military aid, while Arab states push for Rafah's full reopening. No immediate end to operations is signaled, with potential for broader regional involvement if crossings remain contested. Humanitarian corridors and renewed diplomacy will be critical to averting further catastrophe in the embattled enclave.
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