CAIRO/JERUSALEM. Israeli planes and tanks pounded the eastern and northern suburbs of Gaza City from Saturday night into Sunday, destroying buildings and homes, as leaders in Jerusalem vowed to push forward with a planned offensive on the city.

Residents reported relentless explosions in the Zeitoun and Shejaia districts, while tanks shelled houses and roads in the Sabra neighborhood. Several buildings were also blown up in Jabalia in northern Gaza. Witnesses said fires lit up the night sky, spreading panic. Some families fled the city, while others said they would rather stay and face death than leave their homes.

The Israeli military confirmed it has resumed combat operations in Jabalia in recent days to dismantle militant tunnels and reassert control of the area. It said this effort “enables the expansion of combat into additional areas and prevents Hamas terrorists from returning.”

Earlier this month, Israel approved a plan to seize Gaza City, describing it as the last stronghold of Hamas militants. The operation is not expected to begin for several weeks, leaving time for Egyptian and Qatari mediators to pursue renewed ceasefire negotiations.

Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed on Sunday to press ahead with the offensive despite warnings of famine in Gaza City. He declared that the city would be razed unless Hamas agrees to Israel’s terms to end the war and release all hostages.

Hamas, in a statement, said Israel’s plan showed it was not serious about a ceasefire. The group insisted that only a truce could secure the return of hostages and held Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responsible for their fate.

The latest proposal on the table involves a 60-day ceasefire, the release of 10 living hostages and 18 bodies held in Gaza, and the release of about 200 long-serving Palestinian prisoners in Israel. Negotiations for a permanent ceasefire and the release of remaining hostages would follow once the truce takes effect.

On Thursday, Netanyahu said Israel would resume talks for the release of the remaining 50 hostages, of whom around 20 are believed to be alive, and for ending the war, but only on conditions acceptable to Israel.

Around half of Gaza’s two million residents are currently in Gaza City. Many have fled with what they could carry, while others, citing poverty and exhaustion, said they had no means to leave.

“No place is safe, but I can’t take the risk,” said Mohammad, 40, via a chat app. “If they suddenly begin the invasion, they will use heavy fire.” Aya, 31, said her family of eight had no choice but to stay: “We are hungry, afraid and don’t have money. We are not leaving, let them bomb us at home.”

A global hunger monitor last week declared that Gaza City and the surrounding areas are already in famine, with the crisis expected to spread further. Israel has rejected the finding, saying it ignores measures taken since late July to expand humanitarian aid.

On Sunday, the Gaza health ministry reported that eight more people died of malnutrition and starvation, raising the death toll from such causes to 289, including 115 children. Israel disputes the ministry’s casualty figures.

The war erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led fighters launched a deadly incursion into southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages. Since then, Israel’s military offensive has killed at least 62,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to Gaza health officials, devastated much of the enclave, and displaced nearly the entire population.