Smoke was seen rising over Jabalia in northern Gaza following a series of Israeli airstrikes, underscoring the ongoing intensity of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Despite US-led diplomatic efforts, Israel’s military operations showed no sign of abating.
The country’s Strategic Affairs Minister, Ron Dermer, a close ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, traveled to Washington for high-level meetings centered on Gaza and Iran, according to Israeli and US sources. His meetings with Trump administration officials were scheduled to begin Tuesday.
Destruction in Gaza as Israel intensifies airstrikes during a renewed military offensive.
On the ground, they issued evacuation orders to large areas in northern Gaza, prompting a fresh wave of displacement. Residents described relentless shelling, including reported strikes on schools and homes. Their tanks pushed into the Zeitoun suburb of Gaza City, while aircraft bombed four schools after instructing families inside to evacuate.
They did not immediately comment on the specific strikes. The military maintains that Hamas embeds its fighters among civilians—an allegation the group denies.
The military’s latest offensive followed newly issued evacuation orders and marked renewed fighting in areas it had previously occupied and left in ruins. The military stated the goal was to eliminate Hamas units allegedly regrouping in northern Gaza, including Gaza City itself.
Meanwhile, Israel’s security cabinet was set to meet to outline the country’s next steps in Gaza. Last week, Israel’s top military official indicated that the ground campaign was nearing its objectives. Netanyahu also stated on Sunday that progress had been made in efforts to recover Israeli hostages, of whom 20 are believed to still be alive.
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Mediation efforts by Egypt and Qatar continue, though no date has been fixed for another round of ceasefire talks. A Hamas official insisted that any progress hinges on them agreeing to withdraw from Gaza and end the war. The country maintains it will not stop the offensive until Hamas is dismantled and disarmed—terms the militant group refuses.
The war was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack inside Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting 251 hostages. It was the country’s deadliest day in history.
In response, the country has waged a sustained military campaign that has reportedly killed over 56,000 Palestinians—mostly civilians—according to Gaza’s health ministry. Nearly the entire population of 2.3 million has been displaced, as over 80% of the territory is now under their military control or subject to evacuation orders, according to the United Nations.
