JERUSALEM — Israel’s military said on Tuesday that it will act with “great force” in Gaza City and told residents to leave as it stepped up its deadly assault on the Palestinian territory’s largest urban center.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a similar warning, as Israel intensified its bombardment in preparation for an operation to seize Gaza City despite global calls to end the war.

“To all residents of Gaza City... the defense forces are determined to defeat Hamas and will act with great force in the Gaza City area,” the military’s Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee said in a post on X.

“Evacuate immediately via the Al-Rashid axis,” he added.

An AFP photographer in Gaza City saw planes drop hundreds of leaflets urging residents to flee southwards.

On Monday, Netanyahu issued a video statement saying: “In two days, we brought down 50 terror towers, and this is only the opening stage of the intensified ground maneuver in Gaza City. I say to the residents: You have been warned; leave now!”

“All of this is just a prelude, just the opening, to the main intensified operation — the ground maneuvers of our forces, who are now organizing and assembling to enter Gaza City,” he added.

Israel says to act with 'great force' in Gaza City

‘Bombings and ambulances’

Gaza’s civil defense agency said Israeli air strikes continued overnight across Gaza City., This news data comes from:http://www.052298.com

The agency had said at least 39 people had been killed by Israel on Monday, including 25 in Gaza City.

“All we hear are bombings and ambulances carrying martyrs,” Laila Saqr, a resident, told AFP by telephone.

Saqr, 40, said she used to visit a gym in the tower twice a week, but now, “nothing is left.”

“Israel destroys everything — even the memories. If they could, they would strip the very oxygen from the air.”

Israel said Hamas had used the tower for intelligence gathering and planted explosives in it.

It had earlier warned residents and those nearby to evacuate.

Israel says to act with 'great force' in Gaza City

Separately, the military announced that four Israeli soldiers were killed when Palestinian militants threw an explosive device into their tank.

‘Last warning’

The build-up to a campaign to take control of Gaza City came as talks to end the war have yet to render an agreement.

US President Donald Trump said Sunday that “the Israelis have accepted my terms.

“It is time for Hamas to accept as well. I have warned Hamas about the consequences of not accepting. This is my last warning.”

Hamas said that it was ready to “immediately sit at the negotiating table” following what it described as “some ideas from the American side aimed at reaching a ceasefire agreement.”

US news outlet Axios reported that White House envoy Steve Witkoff sent a new proposal for a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal to Hamas last week.

The White House has not released any details about the proposal, but Trump said, “You’ll be hearing about it pretty soon.”