Israel Steps Up Strikes on Gaza City as Netanyahu Weighs Full Offensive

 

The Israeli military has continued heavy bombardments on Gaza City as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares to meet his ministers to discuss an operation to seize control of the enclave’s largest city. The government recently called up 60,000 reservists, though military officials indicated most would not serve in combat and that final assault plans are not yet complete. Analysts suggest the mobilization will take weeks, allowing time for ongoing mediation efforts over a ceasefire proposal.

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Hamas has already agreed to a plan for a 60-day truce that includes the release of 10 living hostages and 18 bodies held in Gaza, in exchange for Israel freeing about 200 long-serving Palestinian prisoners. Israel, however, insists that all 50 remaining hostages must be released simultaneously, with officials believing only 20 are still alive. International allies have warned Israel against escalating the conflict further, but Netanyahu faces internal pressure from far-right members of his coalition to press ahead.

Meanwhile, Israeli tanks continue to push toward Gaza City, where strikes have devastated neighborhoods like Sabra and Tuffah. Thousands of civilians have fled to shelters on the coast or in southern Gaza, though many say survival feels uncertain regardless of where they move.

Amid intensifying strikes, Gaza residents staged a rare public protest against the war, carrying banners that read “Save Gaza, enough” and “Gaza is dying by the killing, hunger and oppression.” Civil unions organized the march, while Palestinian journalist Tawfik Abu Jarad said people were demanding an immediate halt to military operations, massacres, and what protesters called genocide.

The humanitarian crisis continues to deepen. The Gaza health ministry reported that two more people died of starvation and malnutrition within 24 hours, bringing the total since the start of the war to 271, including 112 children. Israel disputes these figures, though international aid agencies have warned of severe shortages of food and medicine.

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Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said warning calls were being made to Gaza City residents and international organizations, urging them to prepare to evacuate south. He also claimed that hospitals in southern Gaza were told to be ready to receive patients from northern facilities forced to shut down. Reports of such warnings have not been independently verified.

Netanyahu will decide whether to approve operational plans soon. While Israel signals that time remains for a ceasefire, residents describe hearing only explosions and facing a grim choice between leaving their homes or dying in them.