Gaza City Under Siege: A Closer Look at the Conflict

The Israeli military has been moving deeper into Gaza City, putting the lives of many Palestinians at risk. These people had chosen to stay, hoping that the increasing calls for a ceasefire would protect their homes. Meanwhile, U. S. President Donald Trump met with Muslim leaders at the United Nations to discuss ending the war. Trump, who has been critical of countries recognizing a Palestinian state, also mentioned plans to meet with Israel. The Israeli government has advised residents of Gaza City to move south, but many are reluctant due to the lack of security and food in those areas. Thaer, a 35-year-old father, shared his experience: "We moved to the western area near the beach, but many families didn't have the time. Tanks took them by surprise. " Israeli forces, which have been closing in on Gaza City since August, continue their offensive despite calls to stop. This offensive aims to dismantle the last stronghold of Hamas militants, whose 2023 attack on Israel triggered the war. Medics reported that at least 20 people were killed and many others injured when Israeli airstrikes hit a shelter housing displaced families near a market in the city. Two more people were killed in a nearby house. The Israeli military is investigating the reported attack on the shelter, where footage showed people searching through the rubble. Sami Hajjaj, a survivor, described the horror: "We were sleeping in God's care, there was nothing - they did not inform us, or even give us a sign - it was a surprise. There are children and women, around 200 people maybe, six-seven families, this square is full of families. " In the Tel Al-Hawa suburb of Gaza City, tanks have entered populated areas, trapping people in their homes. More tanks were seen near Al-Quds Hospital, and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported damage to an oxygen station. Tanks have also advanced closer to Gaza's largest hospital, Al Shifa, according to witnesses and Hamas media. On Monday, Palestinian authorities reported that tank shelling had damaged Rantissi Hospital and put the nearby Al-Naser eye hospital at risk, forcing them to close. Jordan, which runs a third hospital in the area, moved it further south due to repeated bombardment. The Israeli military stated that it would continue to enable medical services and the functioning of healthcare facilities in Gaza and that staff and patients from Al-Naser and Rantissi had voluntarily evacuated. Hundreds of thousands of people have fled Gaza City in northern Gaza to the south over the past few weeks, but many more remain, saying there is nowhere safe for them to go. Seven people were killed in Nuseirat and near Rafah in southern Gaza, medics said. The Israeli military, which insists its attacks are aimed at ending Hamas rule of the enclave, had no immediate comment. Israel has faced widespread condemnation over its military conduct in Gaza, where more than 65, 000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed, according to local health authorities, and famine has spread. International frustration over the war in Gaza prompted some Israeli and U. S. allies to recognize a Palestinian state this week. Support for the war in Israel has also wavered, with 48 hostages, 20 of whom are believed to be alive, still held by Hamas in Gaza and 465 soldiers killed in combat. Hamas has acknowledged the death of some of its military leaders but has not disclosed the number of its fighters killed. The war began when Hamas stormed into Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1, 200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.