An expert has warned that Israel is "slamming the door" on having a two-state solution after launching a new Gaza offensive - despite ignoring pleas from world leaders.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commanded the IDF to initiate a ground offensive targeting Gaza City on Tuesday, gradually closing in on the largest city in the Palestinian territory, which has already seen extensive destruction due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

On Tuesday morning, residents of Gaza City reported heavy bombardments across the area. Those remaining in the city were given stern warnings to evacuate and head south.

This latest move signifies yet another escalation in a conflict that has thrown the Middle East into turmoil, with any potential ceasefire seeming increasingly unlikely despite months of diplomatic efforts.

The UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly last week to support a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict and urge Israel to commit to a Palestinian state.

France, the UK, Canada, Australia and Malta have said they would formalise their pledge during the annual gathering of world leaders at the UN General Assembly, which starts September 23. Some others, including New Zealand, Finland and Portugal, are considering a similar move.

The development comes just hours after independent experts appointed by the United Nations' Human Rights Council declared that Israel is "committing genocide" in Gaza.

Professor Natasha Lindstaedt from the University of Essex believes that Netanyahu is "slamming the door" on a two-state solution following the expansion of Israel's military operation in Gaza City.

In an exclusive interview with The Mirror, she stated: "Benjamin Netanyahu has made clear that there will be no independent Palestinian state. While Israeli politicians used to (at least in rhetoric) offer support for the idea of one day having a two-state solution, Netanyahu's government is slamming the door on this. The administration has made clear that Hamas must be eliminated, and there will be a military solution.

"There are concerns that to do so Israel will be engaging in a genocide or ethnic cleansing campaign, which is why along with Qatar and other Arab leaders' shock after Israel attacked Hamas by bombing a target in Doha, these Arab leaders have come out and condemned what is taking place in Gaza.

"This was an extraordinary show of unity of Arab leaders including Crown Prince Salman of Saudi Arabia and Emirati President Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed-- who have not always been supportive of Qatar in the past.

"US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, sensing the urgency of the situation has headed to Qatar to do damage control, claiming that Qatar will need to be the mediator, and that it is a matter of weeks not months.

"The US is also concerned that Israel may attack Doha again to target the political leadership of Hamas there, which could lead to a united response from Arab leaders.

"This new phase of the conflict demonstrates that Israel wants to take over. This invasion will involve several different IDF divisions, and over 130,00 reservists.

"The IDF said that around 500,000-600,000 Palestinian civilians out of about one million have evacuated Gaza City already and claims that Hamas is preventing Gazans from evacuating.

"Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir have disagreed about how to run the invasion, as Zamir was hoping for a hostage deal without this invasion to avoid risks to the 48 hostages.

"It is really unclear what either Doha or Washington can do to stop this, as the Hamas leadership was reportedly mulling over a proposal from the Trump administration in Doha when the attack happened there. Netanyahu believes he has Trump's full backing to go in full force and is willing to take on the risks of escalation."

Israel 'slams the door' on Palestine with Gaza offensive in contempt of world leaders - The Mirror