Unprecedented Aerial Offensive and Civilian Targeting
Israel has intensified its bombardment of Gaza City, with Defense Minister Israel Katz warning of a "mighty hurricane" of airstrikes aimed at annihilating Hamas unless the group surrenders and releases all hostages. The military bombed a 12-story residential tower housing displaced families, claiming Hamas used the building for military operations, an assertion Hamas denies and for which Israel provided no evidence. Residents reported aerial strikes and controlled detonations of abandoned armored vehicles in streets, exacerbating the destruction in a city where hundreds of thousands live in ruins after nearly two years of conflict.
Humanitarian Crisis and Displacement
The assault has worsened Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe, where 64,000 Palestinians have been killed and 393 have died from starvation, including six in the past 24 hours. Israel’s order for civilians to evacuate Gaza City ahead of bombings has forced families into overcrowded tent camps in Khan Younis, which the UN deems unsafe and incapable of accommodating new arrivals. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that hospitals are operating far beyond capacity, with medical supplies critically depleted due to Israel’s blockade.
Ceasefire Negotiations and Hamas’s Position
Hamas is reviewing a U.S. ceasefire proposal delivered on Sunday, which calls for the release of all 48 remaining hostages on the first day of a truce in exchange for negotiations to end the war. The group reiterated its demand for a "clear announcement of an end to the war" and full Israeli withdrawal before releasing hostages. U.S. President Donald Trump issued a "last warning" to Hamas to accept the terms, though details remain undisclosed. Hamas senior official Bassem Naim criticized the proposal as "preliminary ideas" designed to elicit refusal rather than achieve peace.
Jerusalem Attack and Regional Tensions
The escalation followed a shooting in Jerusalem where two Palestinian gunmen killed six people, including a Spanish citizen, at a bus stop. Hamas praised the attack, calling it a "natural response" to Israel’s occupation and violence in Gaza. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar confirmed the attackers were from the West Bank, highlighting the conflict’s regional spillover. The EU and several nations condemned the violence, though Palestinian leaders contextualized it within broader oppression.
International Response and Media Bias
Western media coverage continues to face accusations of pro-Israel bias, with Reuters journalists documenting systemic prioritization of Israeli narratives over Palestinian perspectives. Outlets like CNN have been criticized for parroting Israeli propaganda without verification, such as falsely reporting Hamas use of hospitals. This bias obscures the scale of Palestinian suffering and international law violations, including potential genocide as cited by UN experts.