CAIRO/GAZA. Residents of Gaza City found themselves trapped in their homes and bodies lay uncollected in the streets amidst a fierce Israeli assault on Thursday, even as peace efforts continued in Egypt and Qatar.
The heavy assault could jeopardize efforts to end the conflict, according to Hamas. The Palestinian militant group stated that mediators have not provided updates since it made concessions to a U.S.-backed Israeli peace proposal last week.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that the head of Israel’s Shin Bet security agency was en route to Cairo for further ceasefire discussions. Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Brett McGurk met with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in Israel.
The latest assault on Gaza City, which residents compare to the most intense battles of the war, has razed much of the city. Gaza City, home to over a quarter of Gaza’s residents before the war, was heavily damaged in late 2023 but saw many Palestinians return to the ruins. Now, they have been ordered to evacuate once more by the Israeli military. However, many residents are determined to stay.
“We will die but not leave to the south. We have tolerated starvation and bombs for nine months and we are ready to die as martyrs here,” said Mohammad Ali, 30, via text message. Ali’s family, which has moved several times within the city, is running out of food, water, and medicine.
“The occupation (Israel) bombs Gaza City as if the war was restarting. We hope there will be a ceasefire soon, but if not, then it is God’s will,” he added.
The Gaza health ministry reported that people were trapped and others killed in their homes in the Tel Al Hawa and Sabra districts, with rescuers unable to reach them. The Civil Emergency Service estimated at least 30 people had been killed in the Tel Al-Hawa and Rimal areas, with bodies remaining in the streets.
On Wednesday, the Israeli army instructed Gaza City residents to use two “safe routes” to head south, but many have refused to leave, using the hashtag “We are not leaving” on social media.
Return to Shejaia
In the Shejaia suburb east of Gaza City, residents returned to a scene of devastation after Israeli forces withdrew following a two-week offensive. The main cemetery was bulldozed, and residents navigated rubble-strewn tracks, passing destroyed Israeli armored vehicles.
“We have returned to Shejaia after 15 days. You can see the destruction. They spared nothing, even trees, there was a lot of greenery in this area. What is the guilt of stones and trees? And what is my guilt as a civilian?” resident Hatem Tayeh told Reuters.
“There are bodies of civilian people. What is the guilt of the civilian? Who are you fighting?” he added.
Israel launched its assault on the Gaza Strip last year after Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and capturing over 250 hostages, according to Israeli reports. Since then, Israel’s offensive has resulted in over 38,000 deaths, according to medical authorities in Gaza.
Ongoing Conflict in Rafah
In Rafah, near the Egyptian border, tanks have been operating in most of the city since May. Residents reported that the army continued demolishing houses amid fighting with Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other factions. Palestinian health officials stated that four people, including a child, were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Tel Al-Sultan, western Rafah.
The Israeli military reported intercepting around five rockets fired from the Rafah area on Thursday.
Negotiations in Qatar and Egypt followed significant concessions from Hamas, which accepted a truce could begin and some hostages be released without Israel ending the war first. However, Hamas accused Israel of “stalling to buy time to foil this round of negotiations.”
Netanyahu, facing opposition within his right-wing cabinet to any deal that halts the war without defeating Hamas, insists that any agreement must allow Israel to resume fighting until all its objectives are met.
Israel’s defense ministry stated that Gallant and U.S. envoy McGurk discussed the progress of an agreement for the release of hostages, emphasizing the need for security measures to prevent weapons smuggling into Gaza.
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.
