Israel has intensified its military campaign in Gaza City, with Defence Minister Israel Katz announcing that forces are “tightening the siege” by completing a corridor stretching across the enclave to the Mediterranean coast.
Katz issued what he described as a final warning to civilians still inside Gaza City, urging them to move south.
“Anyone who remains will be considered terrorists or supporters of terror,” he said, adding that those fleeing would have to pass through Israeli military checkpoints.
Health officials in Gaza reported at least 45 deaths from Israeli strikes on Wednesday. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed it had suspended operations in the city, citing the deteriorating security situation.
The assault comes as Hamas weighs a new U.S.-brokered peace initiative. Arab and Turkish mediators are pressing the group to accept the plan, unveiled by former U.S. President Donald Trump, but senior Hamas figures have indicated they are likely to reject it, claiming it prioritises Israeli interests.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) describes Gaza City as Hamas’s last stronghold and says its objective is both the release of the 48 remaining hostages, 20 of whom are believed alive, and the “decisive defeat” of the group.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian toll is worsening. UNICEF spokesman James Elder, recently back from Gaza City, described seeing “emaciated children and exhausted women” with no safe options to flee.
“For many, staying isn’t a choice. They lack money, transport, and once they reach the south, there’s no shelter waiting,” he said.
Palestinian officials accused Israel of targeting emergency workers after a Civil Defence rescuer, Munther al-Dahshan, was killed responding to an airstrike on a school sheltering displaced families.
The IDF said it had targeted a Hamas fighter and had sought to minimise civilian casualties.
The Trump plan, comprising 20 points, proposes an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages within 72 hours in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, Hamas’s disarmament, and a phased Israeli withdrawal. Trump warned Hamas that failure to sign would mean they would “pay in hell”.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has voiced support for the deal, arguing it fulfils Israel’s war aims. But far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticised the proposal as “dangerous” and “full of holes”.
Recall that the war erupted after Hamas’ 7th October 2023 attack on southern Israel, which left about 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage.
Since then, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry says at least 66,148 people have been killed in Israeli strikes.
Israel expands Gaza city siege as Hamas considers Trump’s peace proposal