By Olatunbosun Obafemi
Israeli forces intensified their bombardment of Gaza City on Tuesday as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pressed ahead with an order for the military to seize the territory’s main urban hub.
The escalation came as a United Nations investigation accused Israel of committing “genocide” against Palestinians – a charge the government in Jerusalem strongly rejected as “distorted and false.”
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Gaza City was “on fire,” declaring that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were striking “terrorist infrastructure with an iron fist.” He vowed operations would continue until Hamas was defeated and hostages held in Gaza were freed.
It remained unclear, however, whether Israel’s long-anticipated ground assault on Gaza City had formally begun. Residents described relentless airstrikes across the city, much of which lies in ruins after nearly two years of Israeli bombardment triggered by Hamas’s October 2023 attacks.
“We can hear their screams,” said 25-year-old resident Ahmed Ghazal, describing the aftermath of the latest strikes.
U.S. Backs Israel, Warns Time Is Running Out
The offensive was publicly backed by visiting U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who met Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday. Rubio said Washington still preferred a diplomatic solution but warned that only “days, maybe weeks” remained to reach a deal.
“Sometimes when you’re dealing with a group of savages like Hamas, that’s not possible,” Rubio told reporters as he departed Israel, while stressing that demilitarisation remained the U.S. goal.
Rubio also met families of Israeli hostages and acknowledged Hamas’s leverage in holding them. A hostages’ advocacy group expressed alarm after Netanyahu’s latest order, accusing him of jeopardising negotiations.
UN Commission Alleges Genocide
Meanwhile, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI) said its findings showed “genocide is occurring in Gaza and is continuing to occur,” citing statements by Israeli officials and patterns of military conduct.
Commission chair Navi Pillay told AFP that responsibility “lies with the State of Israel.” The report singled out Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for allegedly inciting genocidal acts.
Israel categorically dismissed the allegations, calling for the COI’s immediate abolition.
Rising Death Toll
The Gaza civil defence agency reported at least 17 people killed on Tuesday alone, warning the toll was climbing amid ongoing strikes in both Gaza City and Khan Yunis. Media restrictions and access limitations meant casualty figures could not be independently verified.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry, more than 64,900 people — mostly civilians — have been killed in Gaza since the war began, figures considered credible by the UN. The October 2023 Hamas attacks killed 1,219 people in Israel, also largely civilians.
Diplomatic Tensions Ahead of UN Summit
Rubio’s trip came as France prepared to host a summit where several Western nations are expected to push for recognition of Palestinian statehood. Netanyahu has denounced the move and warned of “unilateral steps” in retaliation, while Rubio dismissed the effort as “largely symbolic.”
Before flying to Qatar, the U.S. diplomat urged Doha to continue its mediation role, despite Israeli strikes last week targeting Hamas leaders meeting there over a truce proposal.
