Israel has carried out intense air and artillery strikes on Gaza City after its defence ministry approved an expanded offensive targeting Hamas strongholds, residents and officials said Thursday.
The new plan authorises the call-up of around 60,000 reservists, raising concerns of a worsening humanitarian crisis in the war-torn territory.
“We have begun preliminary actions, and IDF troops are now holding the outskirts of Gaza City,” the Israeli military said in a statement.
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Residents described a night of heavy bombardment, with explosions shaking buildings across the city.
“The house shakes all night long — the sound of explosions, warplanes, ambulances, and cries for help is killing us,” said Ahmad al-Shanti, a resident of northern Gaza.
Civil defence officials reported that strikes targeted areas northwest and southeast of Gaza City, displacing more residents and destroying homes.
The escalation comes as mediators from Qatar and Egypt, backed by the United States, await Israel’s response to a ceasefire proposal that Hamas has already accepted.
The plan reportedly includes the release of 10 hostages and 18 bodies from Gaza, with further negotiations to follow for a wider agreement and the release of remaining captives.
Qatar said the proposal was “almost identical” to a version Israel previously approved, while Cairo stated the “ball is now in Israel’s court.”
Hamas condemned Israel’s decision to expand its offensive, calling it a “blatant disregard” for ongoing ceasefire efforts.
Since the conflict began with Hamas’s October 2023 attack that killed 1,219 people in Israel, the Israeli offensive has left at least 62,122 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza health authorities.
Due to media restrictions and access issues, independent verification of casualty figures remains limited.
