Nearly 1 mln Palestinians trapped in Gaza City amid imminent ground offensive

Nearly one million Palestinians are trapped in Gaza City under relentless shelling, facing imminent displacement as Israel signals a potential ground offensive—leaving families with an impossible choice: flee into the unknown or remain under fire.

Israel's Defense Minister has declared the army's intention to invade Gaza City earlier, and the military has already begun tightening its grip from several directions. The mounting artillery fire and troop movements have left Palestinians convinced that a full-scale assault is imminent.

Elderly Palestinian Hassan al-Najjar, who had set up a tent for his family on the streets of Gaza City after their home was destroyed, is now dismantling it again.

"We are in danger. We came here seeking safety, but now the bombing is close, and shrapnel is hitting us," he said.

Another family, the Maqdads, displaced multiple times from Jabalia in northern Gaza, had set up a tent on the pavements of Gaza City. Now they, too, are leaving in search of safety that seems impossible to find.

"We are displaced from the Zarqa area in Jabalia, after our third home was destroyed. One night, without prior notice, huge robots blew up our neighborhood, shrapnel fell on us and our children. It was terrifying, unimaginable," said Nidal Maqdad.

Gaza City, the largest urban area in the strip, has become a refuge for thousands fleeing the destruction of Jabalia and Beit Hanoun.

Its streets are crowded with displaced families, and its beaches are lined with tents sheltering those who escaped relentless bombardment.

"More than 1.2 million people are now packed into western and central Gaza City, either displaced from the east or from the north. Israel is forcing people into tiny, overcrowded spaces," said Husni Mhanna, a local municipal worker.

For many, there is little difference between the pain of displacement and the risk of death under bombardment. Some families have resolved to remain in Gaza City, choosing to face their fate rather than flee again.

"Our situation is extremely difficult. My family is large, and my son is disabled. Moving again is impossible, psychologically, physically, and financially. We decided to stay here in Gaza," said Falah Odeh, a Palestinian refugee.

Israeli forces have already intensified operations around Gaza City from the east, south, and north. Tanks are closing in while Palestinians have nowhere left to run.

"At night we wake up to the sound of bombing. My children and grandchildren are terrified, but what can we do? We have nowhere else to go. We live in the street, just a tent without even a door," said Maha al-Kurdi, a displaced Palestinian.

Conditions are dire in the south, particularly in Al-Mawasi, the so-called humanitarian zone already overcrowded with displaced families.

Israel continues to demand civilians move there, even as it bombs the same area of tents and shelters.

"There is no safe place in Gaza. And even when people are told to leave an area, many times wherever they end up going is also struck and there is destruction and killing and just continuous suffering that needs to come to an end," said Olga Cherevko, staff member of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

International organizations have warned Israel against expanding its military operation into Gaza City, cautioning that any invasion would inflict catastrophic harm on civilians and further worsen an already desperate humanitarian crisis.

Nearly 1 mln Palestinians trapped in Gaza City amid imminent ground offensive

Nearly 1 mln Palestinians trapped in Gaza City amid imminent ground offensive

Nearly 1 mln Palestinians trapped in Gaza City amid imminent ground offensive

Nearly 1 mln Palestinians trapped in Gaza City amid imminent ground offensive

The organizing committee of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games has unveiled the titles, creative visions, and first talents of the opening and closing ceremonies, as Thursday marked 50 days before the event officially gets underway.

Scheduled from March 6 to 15 across multiple Italian cities, the Games will bring together 665 athletes from 50 countries and regions to compete for 79 gold medals across six sporting disciplines.

The opening ceremony, titled "Life in Motion," will be staged at the historic Arena di Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, presenting a tribute to change and transformation that seeks to redefine disability through a new harmony between people and the environment.

"I paid close attention to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which I consider one of the three or four most beautiful in the history of Olympic ceremonies. This time at the ancient Arena di Verona, we will place greater emphasis on showcasing the human element," the ceremonies' artistic director Alfredo Accatino told a Chinese reporter at the event.

The closing ceremony, themed "Italian Souvenir," will be held on March 15 at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, guiding athletes, volunteers, and fans through a journey that captures the emotions and memories of the Games after days of competition and achievement.

Craig Spence, the International Paralympic Committee's Chief Brand and Communications Officer, believes that Italy will deliver "the best Paralympic Games" following the benchmark set by the Beijing Winter Paralympics in 2022.

"I think what China did in Beijing has really set the benchmark for all future teams competing in the Paralympic Winter Games in terms of performance. That's why I think Milano-Cortina will be the best Paralympic Games we've ever seen for sports," he said.

Milano-Cortina Paralympics reveal opening, closing themes as Games draw near