URGENT UPDATE: Israel has just announced a significant escalation of air strikes on Gaza City, declaring a “mighty hurricane” will unleash devastation unless Hamas complies with demands from US President Donald Trump to release all hostages and surrender. This warning comes as Israeli forces intensified their bombardment today, targeting key locations across the city.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz took to X, stating, “A mighty hurricane will hit the skies of Gaza City today, and the roofs of the terror towers will shake.” His message serves as a final ultimatum to Hamas, demanding they release hostages and disarm or face annihilation. This dramatic escalation follows recent violence in Jerusalem, where five people were killed in an attack that Hamas praised.
According to a senior Israeli official, the latest ceasefire proposal from the US stipulates that Hamas must return all 48 hostages—living and deceased—on the first day of a ceasefire. This proposal is characterized as Hamas’s “last chance” to negotiate an end to the ongoing conflict. Hamas has indicated it will not release hostages until a formal announcement of war cessation and Israeli troop withdrawal occurs.
The situation in Gaza has deteriorated significantly since the conflict reignited in August 2023, following a deadly Hamas-led assault that resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people in Israel and the abduction of more than 250 hostages. The humanitarian crisis continues to escalate, with nearly 63,000 Palestinians reported killed, according to health officials in the enclave. Tragically, the health ministry reported that six Palestinians, including two children, died from malnutrition and starvation in the last 24 hours, raising the total to at least 393 deaths from such causes over the past two months.
Residents in Gaza City report relentless airstrikes, with entire neighborhoods like Sheikh Radwan, Zeitoun, and Tuffah bearing the brunt of the destruction. Eyewitnesses describe scenes of chaos as Israeli forces target armored vehicles and combat fighters on the ground. The destruction has left many living among the rubble, creating a dire humanitarian situation.
Despite ongoing efforts for a ceasefire, negotiations falter as Israel insists on the unconditional release of all hostages before any discussion of peace can begin. Hamas, on the other hand, remains adamant that it will not surrender until a viable independent Palestinian state is established.
As the situation develops, the international community watches closely. The urgency of this conflict, now marked by escalating military action and humanitarian crisis, demands immediate attention. What happens next will be crucial, as both sides face pressure to navigate a path toward resolution amidst growing violence and chaos.
Stay tuned for more updates as this situation unfolds.
