Israeli forces are on their second day of ground maneuvers in Gaza City, facing challenges with population evacuation that are reportedly lower than expected, according to a report by Itay Blumental on X, formerly Twitter, on September 17th, 2025, at 5:33 PM UTC. The situation image shared by Blumental indicates ongoing efforts by the defense establishment to manage the population's movement. These developments follow reports from earlier on September 17th, 2025, that Israeli forces were operating in the heart of Gaza City, advancing into neighborhoods such as Rimal and along Al-Rashid Road. These operations had reportedly caused connectivity disruptions in Gaza's northern sector, affecting approximately 400,000 displaced Palestinians. Earlier in the day, Israeli military vehicles were reported advancing towards shelter centers in northern Gaza and firing at Kamal Adwan Hospital. Eighteen members of the U.S. Congress declared on September 17th, 2025, that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Representative Veronica Escobar stated her "responsibility to name and speak against what is happening: this is genocide." This declaration was made within a reporting window ending at 4:48 PM UTC. In parallel diplomatic news, Fiji officially opened its embassy in Jerusalem on September 17th, 2025, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in attendance. White House Agrine Steve Whitkoff was scheduled to meet with Sherr Ron Darmer in London on the evening of September 17th, 2025, to discuss the potential renewal of hostage release negotiations, with Qatari officials also present in London to mediate a crisis between Israel and Qatar. Activists reported earlier on September 17th, 2025, that Israeli forces targeted civilians during their displacement near Al-Shifa Hospital, resulting in 13 fatalities. Footage also depicted destruction in Hamad Residential City in Khan Yunis and scenes from the northern Gaza Strip. Separately, Israeli forces reportedly demolished structures in Khillet al-Dabaa in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron.
