JERUSALEM (AP) – Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, stated on Tuesday that "Gaza is burning" following a series of heavy airstrikes on Gaza City that took place overnight. These intense strikes are part of Israel's military planning for a new offensive that specifically targets Gaza City, which has seen a significant escalation in violence.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was leaving Israel for Qatar, indicated that the offensive may have already commenced. "The Israelis have begun to take operations there," Rubio suggested to reporters. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "We think we have a very short window of time in which a deal can happen. We don’t have months anymore, and we probably have days and maybe a few weeks." This statement highlights the delicate nature of the ongoing negotiations surrounding the conflict.
According to Palestinian residents, the strikes were widespread across Gaza City, resulting in extensive destruction and casualties. An attack targeted a residential house in the western part of the city, leading to the deaths of at least five Palestinians, including two children, as reported by Shifa Hospital, which received the victims' bodies. In another strike, at least three homes in the southwestern sector of Gaza City were hit, prompting local medics to search through the rubble for any potential survivors.
Radwan Hayder, a resident of Gaza City who took shelter near the Shifa Hospital, described the night as "heavy," reflecting the harrowing experiences faced by civilians amidst the ongoing military actions. The Israeli military has remained silent for hours regarding inquiries about the initiation of the offensive.
Both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Marco Rubio echoed similar sentiments on Monday, asserting that the only solution to the conflict in Gaza is the complete dismantling of Hamas alongside the release of approximately 48 remaining hostages, around 20 of whom are believed to still be alive. This position dismisses calls for a temporary ceasefire, instead advocating for an immediate end to hostilities.
Hamas, the de facto governing body of Gaza, has stated it would only release the remaining hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The tumultuous backdrop of these developments began with the incursion of Hamas-led militants into southern Israel on October 7, 2023. That attack resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, primarily among civilians, and the abduction of 251 individuals. Many hostages were released during ceasefires arranged, in part, through negotiations involving Qatar or other parties.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the ongoing retaliatory actions by Israel have led to the deaths of at least 64,871 Palestinians, although the ministry does not differentiate between civilian and combatant casualties. Staffed by medical professionals under Hamas governance, the ministry estimates that women and children constitute nearly half of the death toll, highlighting the severe humanitarian impact of the conflict.
The situation in Gaza continues to develop, underscoring the dire need for resolution and the profound consequences of military actions on civilian populations.
