In brief
The escalating conflict in Gaza City sees Israeli forces intensifying their attacks in preparation for a ground offensive, leading to over 30 Palestinian deaths and worsening humanitarian conditions for the displaced. With calls for peace and the release of hostages amidst rising casualties, the situation demands urgent global attention.
Israeli forces are intensifying their attacks on the outskirts of Gaza City, residents say, as the military steps up preparations for a ground offensive to conquer it.
Hospitals reported women and children were among more than 30 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes in the city on Wednesday, most of them in the north and west.
The Israeli military's chief of staff vowed to continue striking Hamas's centres of gravity until it is defeated and its hostages freed.
The UN and aid groups warned that the Israeli operations were causing horrific humanitarian consequences for displaced families sheltering in Gaza City, home to a million people, where famine was declared last month.
Meanwhile, Israeli protesters participated in a day of disruption to press their government for an immediate deal to end the war in exchange for the release of all hostages in Gaza.
Since the announcement of the intensified military operations, over 82,000 people have been newly displaced, many heading towards crowded coastal areas, while concerns rise over the shortage of safe spaces and essential resources.
Recent reports indicate that Israeli strikes have led to significant destruction in residential areas, including schools and hospitals serving as shelters, raising alarm over civilian safety and humanitarian rights violations.
As the conflict deepens, the call for negotiations to release hostages is critical, with families of hostages urging the government to prioritize their loved ones' safety over military aims.
