Israel has escalated its strikes on Gaza City, leading to heavy artillery and aerial attacks overnight. Reports indicate that the Israeli Defence Force has initiated a ground offensive to occupy the port town. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced on Twitter that “Gaza is burning” as the IDF targets Hamas’ infrastructure in efforts to secure the release of hostages and defeat the militant group.
Prior to the ground strike, the IDF advised innocent Palestinian civilians in the city to seek refuge in humanitarian areas. Despite ongoing airstrikes, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians remain in Gaza City, with 300,000 having already evacuated.
The United Nations has accused Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza, citing evidence of genocidal intent based on specific actions and statements by Israeli officials. Israel has vehemently denied these allegations, labeling the report as “distorted and false” and accusing the UN experts of relying on misinformation propagated by Hamas.
International pressure is mounting on Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with calls for de-escalation to prevent further suffering among the Palestinian population. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is determined to eliminate Hamas and secure the release of hostages, despite concerns about escalating violence and civilian casualties.
US President Donald Trump has expressed support for Israel’s actions, warning Hamas against using hostages as human shields. Netanyahu thanked Trump for his unwavering support in the fight against Hamas.
The offensive in Gaza has resulted in a significant death toll, with reports indicating that around 65,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed since the start of the conflict. Netanyahu authorized the offensive, ignoring advice from some security officials who raised concerns about potential repercussions and challenges in governing the war-torn region.
As the conflict continues, efforts are underway to address the remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza City. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reiterated the need to confront the violence and extremism perpetuated by Hamas, echoing Trump’s support for the ground offensive while emphasizing the importance of a swift resolution.