Israel on Tuesday launched a massive new bombing campaign on Gaza City, hours after visiting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s support for its offensive against Hamas and warned that only days remain for a diplomatic solution.
The Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz, said Gaza City — the territory’s main urban hub — was “on fire” as the military struck what it called “terrorist infrastructure” in a bid to free hostages and defeat Hamas. Witnesses reported relentless air strikes on the city, already devastated by nearly two years of conflict.
A group representing hostages’ families said they were “terrified” for their loved ones, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of endangering a potential deal for their release.
During his visit, Rubio said the US still preferred a diplomatic solution but warned that “we probably have days and maybe a few weeks” to reach an agreement. He also met families of hostages and urged Qatar to continue its mediation efforts despite Israel’s recent strikes on Hamas leaders in the Gulf emirate.
Meanwhile, a UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, led by South African judge Navi Pillay, accused Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza with the intent to destroy Palestinians as a group. The report named Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and former defence minister Yoav Gallant as having “incited the commission of genocide”.
Israel rejected the findings as “distorted and false” and demanded the commission’s abolition.
According to Gaza’s civil defence agency, at least 17 people were killed on Tuesday alone, with the number of casualties expected to rise. The agency said Israeli strikes also hit the southern city of Khan Yunis.
The offensive comes ahead of a UN summit in which several Western nations are expected to push for recognition of a Palestinian state — a move Netanyahu opposes, warning of potential unilateral Israeli responses.
The October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel killed 1,219 people, mostly civilians. Israel’s retaliatory campaign has since killed at least 64,905 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to figures from the territory’s health ministry deemed reliable by the UN.
