Israel Intensifies Gaza City Strikes Amid Hostage Concerns and Diplomatic Efforts

The Israeli military launched a series of intensified strikes on multiple high-rise buildings across Gaza City on Sunday, following earlier warnings for residents to evacuate several neighborhoods. This escalation marks the latest round of destruction since Israel issued a complete evacuation order for the city earlier this week.

As the assault on Gaza City appeared to accelerate, with rapid evacuation orders issued for several towers, the strikes preceded a critical meeting called by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The meeting aimed to discuss strategies for a planned ground operation to take control of Gaza City, specifically addressing efforts to minimize harm to the estimated 20 hostages believed to still be alive in the enclave, some potentially within Gaza City.

Simultaneously, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Tel Aviv on Sunday, engaging in discussions about the ongoing conflict and the hostage situation. His visit included a stop at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, ahead of a scheduled official meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu on Monday. Netanyahu is expected to raise potential West Bank annexation plans during their talks.

Among the targeted structures was Al Kawthar Tower, near Gaza’s port, which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated was being used by Hamas for troop observation. The IDF claimed to have taken steps to mitigate civilian harm through advanced warnings and precise munitions. Other buildings struck included al Mohna Tower and a facility at the Islamic University in Gaza, which Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed was a source of incitement and terrorism.

The Palestinian health ministry reported that 64,871 people have been killed in Gaza since Israeli military operations began in October 2023, with 164,610 injured. The intensified Israeli actions have left over 50,000 Palestinians homeless in the past week, according to Gaza Civil Defense, with more than 130 residential buildings destroyed.

Further diplomatic activity is anticipated on Monday, with leaders from several Arab and Islamic countries expected to convene an emergency summit in Doha. This summit follows an Israeli strike on Qatar’s capital earlier this week, an act Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani stated would not deter their ongoing mediation efforts for an end to the war in Gaza.

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