Residents of Gaza City were trapped in their homes and bodies lay uncollected under a severe Israeli assault on Thursday, as Washington pushed for a peace deal in Egypt and Qatar. Hamas militants warned that the assault could derail efforts to end the war just as negotiations neared conclusion.
Gaza City, previously home to over a quarter of Gaza’s residents, was ordered evacuated by the Israeli military. The Gaza health ministry reported people trapped and killed in the Tel Al Hawa and Sabra districts, with rescuers unable to reach them. Despite “safe routes” provided by the army, many residents refused to leave, using the hashtag “We are not leaving.”
The conflict began last year when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, resulting in 1,200 Israeli deaths and over 250 hostages. Since then, Israel’s assault has killed more than 38,000 in Gaza. Hamas officials said Israeli forces had left the Shejaia suburb after a two-week invasion. In Rafah, near Egypt, tanks continued operations, and residents reported ongoing house demolitions. Four people, including a child, were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Rafah.
Negotiations in Qatar and Egypt are ongoing, with Hamas agreeing to a truce and some hostage releases without Israel ending the war first. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists on continuing the fight until all objectives are met. Hamas officials and Palestinian mediators are awaiting responses from the talks led by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.
Source: CGTN
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