Israel steps up ground assault in Gaza City amid growing condemnation

Israel has kept up its deadly ground assault on Gaza City, razing neighbourhoods, even as UK, Canada and Australia recognise the State of Palestine before the UN General Assembly, where other countries are set to do so.

Israeli attacks on the city have killed over 31 Palestinians since dawn, according to Palestinian news agency Wafa, most of whom came from Gaza City, the focus of Israel's current action.

Neighbourhoods targeted include the city's Al-Daraj neighbourhood, where Wafa reports at least four people were killed in a strike on an apartment, and the al-Sabra neighbourhood, where several homes were destroyed.

In the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood, Israeli forces have continued detonating remotely controlled explosive-laden armoured vehicles, a tactic that has become commonplace in recent weeks following the beginning of the offensive.

Two rockets were fired towards the southern Israeli city of Ashdod from the northern Gaza Strip, even as Israel presses its advance into the city, with one rocket being intercepted and another striking an open area, according to the Israeli military.

The International Rescue Committee said on Friday that hundreds of thousands remain trapped in Gaza City, too terrified or exhausted to make the journey south, saying that Israel's plan to occupy the city was aimed at emptying it of Palestinians.

Gaza City is currently designated by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) as being in a state of famine, with 164 Palestinians, including 32 children, having been recorded as dying from starvation since the designation. A total of 442 Palestinians, including 147 children, have died from starvation since the beginning of the war.

The UN's agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) reiterated calls for a ceasefire, saying that "the scale of suffering and destruction is unimaginable."

Israel's war on Gaza has killed over 65,208 Palestinians and wounded a further 166,271.

As Israel continues its operation, a host of countries have recognised a State of Palestine before the UN's upcoming General Assembly, with the UK, Australia and Canada announcing the move on Sunday. Portugal is also set to follow suit on Sunday.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that "today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a two-state solution, the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine," while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada "offers our partnership in building the promise of a peacefure future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel.

Several other countries are expected to recognise a State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly this week, including France, Canada, and Australia, as well as Malta and Luxembourg, among others.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin called on other states to recognise Palestine, saying at a press conference in Ramallah: "It will be a very important message. Above all it is a message of hope to the Palestinian people, a message of hope for a free, independent sovereign state."

"The whole world stands united behind the Palestinian cause", she said, adding, "The Israeli occupation is the root of all evils within the region."

Israel has threatened that it will annex the occupied West Bank, drawing up plans to do so, if states recognise Palestine at the UN General Assembly this week.

Editor's note: This story has been updated on 21 September, 13:55 GMT, to include the announcements from the UK, Canada and Australia in recognising the State of Palestine.