Israel Intensifies Strikes on Gaza City Outskirts, Pledges to Continue Offensive

Israeli ground and air forces pounded the city's eastern and northern suburbs late Saturday night into Sunday, leveling homes and other buildings, residents said. Israeli officials again pledged to abide by a scheduled attack on the city.

Witnesses reported relentless blasts in Zeitoun and Shejaia neighborhoods, tanks bombarding streets and buildings in Sabra, and a few buildings being leveled in the northern town of Jabalia. Fire lit the sky from the explosions, leading to panic as some families ran away, but others explained that they would rather remain, even if it meant dying.

The Israeli army said Sunday that its soldiers have been back in the Jabalia area in recent days to destroy militant tunnels and tighten control. The operation, it explained, "allows the extension of the combat to other areas and blocks Hamas terrorists from returning to resume operations in these areas.

Israel authorized a plan last month to capture total control of Gaza City, which it labeled as Hamas militants' last holdout. The offensive itself is not likely to commence for a number of weeks, providing room for mediators from Egypt and Qatar to attempt to resuscitate ceasefire negotiations.

Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, stated on Sunday that the proposed offensive would go ahead, regardless of international and local objections, including the situation in Gaza City where famine-like conditions exist. Katz threatened that Gaza City would be reduced to rubble unless Hamas complied with ending hostilities on Israel's terms and freeing all hostages.

Hamas denounced the proposal, claiming in a statement that Israel's move to capture Gaza City proves it is not committed to a ceasefire. The group underscored that a ceasefire is "the only way to return the hostages" and blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for their lives.

It proposes a 60-day truce, releasing 10 living hostages and 18 corpses from Gaza in return for the release of approximately 200 veteran Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel. The proposal foresees negotiations for a permanent truce after a temporary truce has started, including the release of all remaining hostages.

Thursday, Netanyahu announced that Israel would immediately sit down at the bargaining table to bring back all 50 hostages—approximately 20 of whom Israel thinks are still alive—and to end the near two-year conflict, but only on terms favorable to Israel.

Half of Gaza's two million inhabitants reside in Gaza City. Fewer than a few thousand have fled, loaded onto vehicles and rickshaws with their belongings.

"I lost count of the number of times I had to take my wife and three daughters and abandon my home in Gaza City," Mohammad, 40, said through a messaging app. "There is no safe place, but I cannot risk it. If they suddenly start the invasion, they will open heavy fire." They said they could not leave.

We are not going, let them bomb us at home," said 31-year-old Aya, who shares a home with six relatives. "We are hungry, frightened and have no money," she continued, saying they could not even afford to buy tents or means of transport if they did attempt to leave.

A global hunger monitor reported Friday that Gaza City and the areas around it are officially in famine, which is likely to spread. Israel has challenged the analysis, stating it ignores steps taken since late July to boost aid.

Gaza's health ministry reported Sunday eight additional deaths from starvation and malnutrition, raising the total to 289, including 115 children, since the conflict began. Israel challenges the figures.

The fighting started on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants crossed into southern Israel and killed around 1,200, mostly civilians, and kidnapped 251. Israel has since killed a minimum of 62,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, as confirmed by Gaza's health ministry, and destroyed much of the area, displacing nearly the entire population.