By Abdulmalik Lawal-
Expanded Ground Offensive Underway in Gaza
Gaza is “burning” following intense overnight airstrikes, according to Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz. The minister’s comments, posted on social media, came as new reports claim that Israel has officially launched its long-awaited ground assault on Gaza City. Katz stated that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) are striking with “an iron fist” to defeat Hamas and secure the release of all hostages. He affirmed Israel “will not relent” until this mission’s completion. The Israeli military has confirmed the intensification of Israel’s Gaza offensive. In a statement on X, a military spokesperson announced that an expanded operation is now in progress.
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An explosion in Gaza this morning, as seen from the Israeli side of the border. Reuters
Israeli tanks on the Gaza border. Reuters
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens Amid Escalation
The effects of the heavy bombing have been significant. The Shifa Hospital in Gaza City received at least 12 fatalities from a strike that hit multiple homes in the west of the city. According to Dr. Rami Mhanna, the hospital’s managing director, at least 90 individuals were wounded in the same incident. A Gaza City resident seeking shelter near the hospital, Radwan Hayder, described the previous night as “heavy.” The intensified strikes follow weeks of warnings from Israel for residents to move south towards what it designates as “humanitarian zones.” However, many Palestinians say they cannot leave because of extreme overcrowding in these areas and the high price of transportation. A UN-backed report has already confirmed that famine has been declared in northern Gaza.
Diplomatic Efforts Continue Despite Tensions
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In a separate development, diplomatic efforts are in motion to broker a deal. Former US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is travelling to Qatar to encourage its continued role as a mediator in the conflict. Speaking before he departed from Tel Aviv, Rubio warned of a “very short window of time” for a deal to occur, emphasising Qatar’s crucial position in the mediation process. His trip follows an Israeli strike on Qatar last week targeting Hamas leadership. While Qatar has described the attack as “cowardly and treacherous,” it has vowed that it will not deter them from their mediation role. This follows reports that then-President Donald Trump assured Qatar that Israel will not attack it again. This is despite an Axios report stating that Netanyahu had previously informed the US president of the strike shortly beforehand.
Smoke rising in Doha after the attack. Reuters
Israel is warning Gazans against “fake leaflets” it says Hamas is sharing to spread “the poison of incitement and lies,” urging residents to avoid rumours and misleading news and to continue evacuating to the south.
For more information on the historical context of the conflict, you can read about the History of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.
To learn more about the situation on the ground, you can watch this video: After bombing Qatar, why did Israel strike Yemen? | BBC News.
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