Israeli forces have demolished over 30 residential buildings in Gaza City, displacing thousands, according to Palestinian officials. This occurred as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived on Sunday to discuss the ongoing conflict’s future.
Israel aims to seize the city, home to around one million Palestinians, to fulfill its goal of eliminating Hamas. Intensified attacks target what Israel describes as Hamas’ last stronghold.
Hamas’ political leaders, engaged in intermittent ceasefire and hostage release talks, were hit by an Israeli airstrike in Doha on Tuesday, sparking broad condemnation.
Stay informed with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Qatar will host an emergency Arab-Islamic summit on Monday to strategize next steps. Rubio stated the US wants to discuss freeing 48 hostages—20 believed alive—held by Hamas in Gaza and plans to rebuild the region.
“What’s happened, has happened,” Rubio said. “We will meet with Israeli leaders to discuss future plans,” he added, before heading to Israel, where he’ll stay until Tuesday.
Abraham Accords at risk
Rubio is set to visit the Western Wall in Jerusalem with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and hold discussions during his visit.
US officials called Tuesday’s strike a unilateral escalation not aligned with US or Israeli interests. Rubio and US President Trump met Qatar’s PM, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, on Friday.
On Thursday, Netanyahu signed an agreement to expand settlements across West Bank land, which Palestinians seek for a future state. The UAE warned this could undermine the US-brokered Abraham Accords, which normalized UAE-Israel relations.
Aid agencies warn an Israeli takeover of Gaza City would be disastrous for a population already suffering from widespread malnutrition.
Two more Palestinians died of malnutrition in Gaza in the last 24 hours, raising such deaths to 422, including 145 children, according to the health ministry.
Israel previously blocked food from entering Gaza for 11 weeks but has allowed more aid since late July to prevent shortages. The UN, however, insists much more aid is needed.
Civilians are urged to leave Gaza City before Israel increases ground forces. While tens of thousands have fled, hundreds of thousands remain. Hamas urges residents not to evacuate.
Israeli forces have operated in at least four eastern suburbs, turning several into wastelands and closing in on central and western areas where many displaced are sheltering.
Many residents are hesitant to leave due to insufficient safety and space in the south, labeled as a humanitarian zone by Israel.
Some cannot afford to leave, while others hope the Arab leaders’ meeting in Qatar will pressure Israel to halt its offensive.
“The bombardment intensified everywhere. We took down our tents, over 20 families, unsure where to go,” said Musbah Al-Kafarna, displaced in Gaza City.
Israel reports completing five airstrike waves on Gaza City last week, targeting over 500 sites, including Hamas reconnaissance, sniper sites, tunnel entrances, and weapon depots.
Local officials report at least 40 deaths from Israeli fire across the enclave, including at least 28 in Gaza City. Hamas claims Israeli forces have destroyed 1,600 residential buildings and 13,000 tents since August 11.
Israel’s nearly two-year campaign against Hamas has resulted in over 64,000 deaths in Gaza, according to local authorities.
