UPDATE: Israeli forces have unleashed a “mighty hurricane” in Gaza City, ramping up air strikes in a decisive warning to Hamas. This aggressive military action comes as a final demand for the militant group to release all hostages and surrender, following an ultimatum from US President Donald Trump.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz declared on social media, “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 stark warning to Hamas, urging them to relinquish hostages or face destruction. Eyewitnesses reported intense bombings across Gaza City early this morning, with targeted strikes on armoured vehicles and various districts.
The urgency of this situation escalated after Hamas announced it is considering the latest ceasefire proposal from the US, delivered on Sunday. Trump emphasized this as Hamas’s “last chance,” stipulating that all 48 hostages must be returned on the first day of a ceasefire, during which negotiations would follow.
As the conflict intensifies, the humanitarian crisis deepens. Reports indicate that nearly 63,000 Palestinians have died due to the ongoing violence, with the health ministry in Gaza confirming that six more individuals, including two children, succumbed to malnutrition and starvation in the last 24 hours. This grim toll has raised the total of starvation-related deaths to at least 393 in just two months.
Israeli sources state that the hostilities began with a surprise attack by Hamas on southern Israel in 2023, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the capture of over 250 hostages. Although many hostages were released during previous ceasefires, Hamas continues to hold others as leverage in ongoing negotiations.
As airstrikes escalate, residents of Gaza City are facing dire conditions. Many families are trapped in the rubble of their homes, with reports detailing extensive damage in neighborhoods such as Sheikh Radwan, Zeitoun, and Tuffah. Local officials describe the situation as catastrophic, struggling to provide aid as Israeli forces control all supplies entering the enclave.
President Trump’s latest proposal aims to bring an end to the violence, yet both sides remain entrenched in their positions. Hamas insists it will not surrender until there is a clear commitment to establishing an independent Palestinian state.
As this situation develops, the world watches closely. The implications of Israel’s military strategy, combined with the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, are raising urgent calls for international intervention and support.
Stay tuned for more updates as this critical situation evolves.
