UPDATE: Israeli airstrikes and tank shelling have intensified in eastern Gaza City, leaving at least 11 dead overnight, according to witnesses and medics. This escalation comes as Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya is set to arrive in Cairo for urgent talks aimed at reviving a US-backed ceasefire plan.
The situation is dire as the Israeli military continues its offensive, targeting residential areas in Gaza City. Overnight attacks resulted in the deaths of seven individuals in the Zeitoun suburb, with further casualties reported in Khan Younis, where an airstrike killed five, including a child. As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the Gaza health ministry reported that malnutrition and starvation have claimed 227 lives, including 103 children, since the conflict erupted.
The renewed conflict follows a failed round of ceasefire negotiations in Qatar, which ended in deadlock in late July. Both sides have traded blame over the stalled negotiations, particularly regarding a proposed 60-day truce and the release of hostages. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to expand military control over Gaza, further escalating tensions and drawing international criticism over the humanitarian toll.
Witnesses describe a city reduced to rubble as the aerial bombardments continue. The Israeli military claims it is targeting militant infrastructure and has reportedly killed dozens of militants in recent weeks. However, the civilian death toll is rising, with the military asserting it is taking precautions to minimize harm to non-combatants.
As the humanitarian crisis unfolds, fears grow regarding the displacement of over one million Palestinians in the region. Netanyahu’s far-right coalition, which supports a complete takeover of Gaza, is pushing for a hardline approach, complicating the already challenging negotiations for peace.
As Al-Hayya heads to Cairo, the gaps in negotiations remain wide, particularly regarding Israeli military withdrawal and Hamas’ disarmament. An Arab diplomat indicated that mediators from Egypt and Qatar have not abandoned hope for a diplomatic resolution.
The international community watches closely as Gaza continues to suffer under relentless bombardment, with millions at risk of starvation and displacement. The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated, as the conflict’s impact reverberates far beyond the region.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds.
