Palestinian media reports indicate intensive overnight airstrikes by the IDF in the enclave.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that “Gaza is on fire” following reports of extensive overnight airstrikes by the IDF on Gaza City. Katz affirmed that the Jewish state “will not relent” until Hamas is vanquished.
In the preceding month, Israel’s security cabinet endorsed plans to capture Gaza City, one of the remaining areas not controlled by the IDF, potentially paving the way for a complete occupation. Although a ground offensive was anticipated in October, the IDF has subjected the city to weeks of sustained bombardment, prompting widespread evacuations. Monday night saw residents describe powerful strikes on Gaza City and its periphery, with some asserting the entry of IDF tanks.
“Gaza is on fire,” Katz posted on X. “The IDF is forcefully targeting terrorist infrastructure, and Israeli soldiers are courageously battling to establish the necessary conditions for the release of hostages and the defeat of Hamas. We will not give up and we will not retreat – until the mission is accomplished.”
The IDF has yet to confirm the reported overnight offensive.
Katz’s comments coincided with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s preparations to visit Qatar, aiming to restart ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. These talks had faltered following an Israeli strike in Doha last week that resulted in the deaths of five members of the militant group and a local security official. While speaking to reporters during his journey, Rubio indicated that the offensive on Gaza City had already commenced.
“As you witnessed, the Israelis have initiated operations there. Therefore, we believe we have a very limited timeframe during which an agreement can be reached,” Rubio stated, cautioning that merely a few days were left to achieve a resolution.
Qatar has previously hosted multiple rounds of discussions between Israel and Hamas, facilitating ceasefires in 2023 and earlier this year. While it denounced Israel for “state terrorism” after the recent strike, Qatar affirmed it would not relinquish its mediation efforts alongside Egypt and the US.
The Israeli plan to occupy Gaza City has elicited international censure and prompted domestic protests. The IDF estimates that over 350,000 Palestinians have evacuated since the offensive’s announcement, from an original population of approximately 1 million.