CAIRO/WASHINGTON. Israeli tanks pushed into the northern edge of Gaza City overnight, shelling homes and forcing residents to flee as preparations continued for a new offensive, witnesses said Wednesday.
Residents reported that tanks entered the Ebad-Alrahman neighborhood late Tuesday, wounding several people and driving many deeper into Gaza’s largest city. “All of a sudden, we heard the tanks, explosions grew louder, and we saw people escaping,” said Saad Abed, 60, who lives about a kilometer away.
Israel has described Gaza City as Hamas’ last stronghold and said civilians will be ordered to evacuate. Church leaders in the city, however, announced they would remain, warning that fleeing south “would be nothing less than a death sentence.”
Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said evacuation was “inevitable” and that tents were being brought into Gaza to house displaced residents. Palestinian and UN officials estimate the enclave needs 1.5 million tents.
In Washington, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said President Donald Trump will chair a White House meeting on the war Wednesday, with officials expecting the conflict to be resolved by year-end. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also scheduled to meet Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
Later on Wednesday, tanks pulled back to the Jabalia area north of Gaza City, though bombardments continued in several eastern districts. Gaza health authorities said at least 20 people were killed across the enclave, including a four-year-old girl.
The Israeli military said its forces were targeting “terror infrastructure” and confirmed the killing of senior Hamas security official Mahmoud Al-Aswad last week. Hamas has not confirmed his death.
Meanwhile, protests in Israel have intensified, with thousands demanding an end to the war and the release of hostages still held by Hamas. Israel has not responded to the latest U.S.-backed 60-day ceasefire proposal, which Hamas has accepted.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led fighters killed 1,200 people in Israel and abducted 251 hostages. Since then, more than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to health authorities, while hundreds have died from starvation and malnutrition. Israel disputes the casualty figures released by Gaza’s health ministry.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
