The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has advanced its ground operation in Gaza City, described by Chief of Staff as a "significant and decisive move to restore abductors and a Hamas rowing." The operation, known as "Gideon's Chariots," commenced this morning, September 16th, 2025, at approximately 7:47 AM UTC, with multiple divisions maneuvering within the city. IDF tanks were reported inside Gaza City within the past hour, corroborating the expanded ground offensive. Defense Minister Israel Katz stated in Gaza that Gaza will be destroyed if Hamas does not release hostages. This statement was made in "Gaza Magna" in Gaza, emphasizing a call for action against the enemy to protect soldiers, according to a Telegram post by Nitzan Shapira. In parallel, discussions were held regarding a request for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's early adjournment from his trial, where he is scheduled to testify later today at 3 PM local time. Over the past reporting window, which spanned from 10:02 AM to 10:16 AM UTC, the IDF released an illustration detailing progress in its operations within Gaza City, including the "Oz and Sword" and "Gideon Components (A)" phases. This follows reports that over 20 autonomous explosive devices were deployed throughout the night and recent hours leading up to the current reporting window to accelerate evacuation. In the week prior to the ground offensive, the Israeli Air Force reportedly struck over 850 terror targets and hundreds of operatives in Gaza City. Over 350,000 residents have reportedly evacuated Gaza City southward, according to the IDF. The Palestinian Ministry of Health has reported 428 deaths from famine and malnutrition in Gaza as of September 16th, 2025, with 146 of those deaths being children. Egypt has established a tent camp in Deir al-Balah for displaced individuals, with plans for three more. Earlier today, between 7:32 AM and 7:46 AM UTC, the IDF reported the elimination of Nahmaba commander Mahmoud Said Tamar in Deir al-Balah. Multiple Hercules aircraft have landed in Israel in recent days carrying ammunition and weapons, according to reports from the Telegram channel "ืืืฉืืช ืืืื ืืืืืจื - ืงืืืฆืช ืืืืฉืืช ืืืื...".
