The announcement was made by Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee. This move comes after Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that “Gaza is burning.” The operation has intensified the Israel-Hamas war, and despite weeks of diplomacy, the prospect of a ceasefire now seems more distant than ever.
Hostage Families Protest, Pleading for an End to the Operation
Families of the remaining hostages held in Gaza gathered in front of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence, demanding a halt to the operation. Some camped outside overnight in protest.
“My only concern is this—return my son Matan and the other 47 hostages, and bring our soldiers home safely,” cried mother Inbal Zachalker. Israel believes that of the 48 hostages, around 20 are still alive. However, Hamas has maintained its stance that it will only agree to a deal that includes a permanent ceasefire, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and an Israeli withdrawal. The Gaza war began on October 7, 2023.
On that day, approximately 1,200 Israelis were killed and 251 were abducted in a Hamas-led attack. Some hostages were released during a temporary truce in a Qatar-mediated deal. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 64,871 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive, with nearly half of the casualties reported to be women and children.
Egypt’s Stern Warning and a Shift in Rhetoric
In a significant shift, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi addressed a summit in Qatar on Monday, referring to Israel as an “enemy” for the first time. This is the first such remark from an Egyptian leader since the 1979 peace treaty between the two countries. Diaa Rashwan, head of Egypt’s State Information Service, expressed dissatisfaction with Israel, stating that “Egypt is in danger.”
US Expresses Urgent Concern Over the Escalation
Amidst the escalation, US Secretary of State Mark Rubio, after a visit to Israel, arrived in Qatar. He indicated that time for a deal is running out, stating, “We don’t have months, we have days or weeks left for an agreement.” Rubio expressed hope for a diplomatic solution to dismantle Hamas, warning against the war becoming a long-term campaign.
The Onslaught and Mounting Human Cost
The operation confirms weeks of warnings from the Israeli military. “We are striking terrorist infrastructure with an iron fist. We will not surrender, we will not retreat until the mission is complete,” said Defense Minister Katz. According to the United Nations, over 220,000 Palestinians have been displaced from northern Gaza in the past month alone. The area was previously home to an estimated one million people.
Reports on Tuesday morning indicated intense attacks across Gaza. The city’s Al-Shifa Hospital reported receiving at least 20 bodies and 90 injured. “It was an extremely difficult night in Gaza; the bombardment did not stop for a moment,” said the hospital’s director, Dr. Mohammad Abu Selmeyah. While the Israeli army did not directly comment on the specific strikes, it has long accused Hamas of building military infrastructure within civilian areas.
