Israeli air strikes hit Gaza’s biggest city. Hamas reported the strikes. Israel’s military said it ended its operation in an eastern district. Gaza City saw heavy combat. Fighting increased after a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. He said,
“The war’s intense phase will end soon.”
Talks in Qatar discussed a truce and hostage release. The war has lasted more than nine months. Hamas said troops left Gaza City’s eastern district. They destroyed over 300 homes and 100 businesses. Smoke rose over parts of the city.
On Thursday, Hamas reported 45 air strikes in Gaza City. There were also strikes in Rafah. Netanyahu said the war’s intense phase was ending.
First, Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7. This made a big fight start. Many people, about 1,195, were hurt or passed away, and most were just regular people.
Then, Israel fought back with its army. They also hurt many people, at least 38,345 in Gaza, and most were regular people too. Just yesterday, 50 more people were hurt.
Hamas-Israel Conflict Intensifies in Gaza
Netanyahu vowed to destroy Hamas. Critics questioned if this was possible. Israel’s military completed its mission in Shujaiya. The area was left a grey wasteland. Images showed damaged buildings and rubble. Mohammed Nairi returned to immense destruction. Another displaced resident said the district lies in ruins.
The health ministry found six bodies after Israeli troops left Shujaiya. The army warned Gaza City would stay a dangerous combat zone. Leaflets urged people to flee. Up to 350,000 people remained in the area. The United Nations said evacuations cause more suffering. Many families have been displaced many times. They face critical needs.
An Israeli spokesperson said they want to keep people safe. Soldiers are fighting against Hamas. A Hamas leader, Hossam Badran, talked about more fighting. He hopes the other side will stop asking for things. But because many people are getting hurt, they have to keep asking for what they want.
A group of Israeli leaders, led by David Barnea, went to Qatar to talk about stopping the fighting. William Burns from the CIA also went there. He talked in Cairo too. Netanyahu met with Brett McGurk, who works for the President of the United States. Netanyahu said he wants to agree to stop fighting. But Israel has things they won’t change.
The UN’s place to help Palestinians was attacked. Israel’s army found many weapons there, like drones and rockets.
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