Despite opposition from most countries worldwide, the Israeli cabinet decided to intensify ground and air attacks in Gaza with the objective of permanently eliminating Hamas. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that “Gaza is burning.”
Initially, the residents of Gaza had stated that they would not leave their homes and belongings behind to go anywhere, despite Israel’s bombing. However, various international media reported that people began to flee Gaza City after the Israeli military launched relentless attacks from the ground and air. According to the Qatari television network Al Jazeera, 91 people were killed in Gaza on Sunday alone due to the Israeli assault. The Israeli army has been continuously urging people to leave Gaza.
Last week, the Israeli military dropped bombs on large residential buildings in Gaza, destroying them. Israel claims that Hamas fighters were using these large buildings as bases, using Palestinian civilians as human shields. The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) had asked civilians residing in such buildings to evacuate. According to Al Jazeera, Israel has bombed and destroyed more than 50 multi-story buildings, both large and small.
As the ground and air offensive in Gaza escalated, people began moving towards the southern regions. On Tuesday, various international media outlets published scenes of a large number of people leaving Gaza, carrying their belongings in sacks and bundles. They were leaving Gaza, loading their belongings onto rickshaws, vans, and donkeys.
International Condemnation and Stance on Hostages
The United Nations has concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Even countries that have good relations with Israel have condemned the Israeli attacks in Gaza and the high number of casualties there. Israel has dismissed the statements from the UN and other nations about the genocide in Gaza as baseless.
The United States has also expressed its support for the offensive, carried out under the pretext of action against Hamas in Gaza. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had arrived in Israel just a few days ago. International news agency Reuters reported that he informed them of US support for the offensive against Hamas in Gaza.
US President Donald Trump has also stated that Hamas must pay a heavy price for using hostages or civilians as shields in Gaza. Trump has consistently demanded that Hamas release all remaining hostages at once.
At least 50 hostages are still held by Hamas. It is estimated that at least 20 of these hostages are still alive. Hamas has stated that if Israel intensifies its attack, it will become impossible to recover the bodies of the hostages who have already died.
The Israeli public has protested against the decision to escalate the attack in Gaza. They have demanded that the issue be resolved through dialogue, warning that this move puts the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza at great risk.
