Tom Clonan: War in Gaza will escalate with the civilian death toll rising exponentially

An Israeli military ground offensive to locate and destroy Hamas in Gaza city — where around 200,000 Palestinians are now trapped — could take months, writes Tom Clonan

Palestinians leave their homes following Israeli bombardment on Gaza city. Picture: Abed Khaled/AP

Binyamin Netanyahu has clearly signalled the ground phase of the current war in Gaza. Ruling out international demands for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the Israeli prime minister has told the world, and the Israeli public: “This is time for war.”

This statement comes in a particular context. After weeks of air strikes and artillery attacks throughout Gaza, Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) personnel have now begun the ground invasion. They are now moving on three axes of advance on Gaza city in the north of the densely populated Palestinian territory.