Israeli Military Strikes Nearly 30 Gaza City Buildings Amid High Tensions as U.S. Diplomat Visits

Israeli forces have demolished at least 30 residential structures in Gaza City, forcing thousands of residents to flee, Palestinian officials reported. This military action coincides with the arrival of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is in the region to engage in talks about the ongoing conflict and future prospects for peace.

Israel has intensified its push to seize Gaza City, home to nearly one million Palestinians sheltering amid the conflict, aiming to dismantle Hamas, which it regards as a militant threat. The city is considered by Israel as the group's final stronghold.

Recently, Israeli airstrikes targeted Hamas’ political leadership in Doha, Qatar, drawing widespread condemnation internationally. Qatar is set to host an emergency Arab-Islamic summit on Monday to address the unfolding crisis.

Secretary Rubio emphasized Washington’s priorities, stating, "What's happened, has happened. We're gonna meet with them (the Israeli leadership). We're gonna talk about what the future holds." He also reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to securing the release of 48 hostages held by Hamas, of whom only 20 are believed to be alive, and on efforts to rebuild Gaza following the conflict.

During his visit, Rubio paid respects at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, an act described as a reaffirmation of America's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's eternal capital, a designation formally acknowledged by the United States in 2017.

The recent airstrike on Hamas officials in Qatar, a close U.S. ally, has been criticized by U.S. officials as an escalation that undermines both American and Israeli interests. Rubio and U.S. President Donald Trump had met Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani earlier to discuss the situation.

Additionally, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has advanced plans to expand Israeli settlements on West Bank land, a move condemned by the United Arab Emirates for threatening the integrity of the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between the UAE and Israel.

Humanitarian organizations warn that Israel's planned takeover of Gaza City could have disastrous consequences for the vulnerable population, already suffering from widespread malnutrition.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported that two more Palestinians died from starvation in the past 24 hours, raising deaths attributed to malnutrition to at least 422, including 145 children. Although Israel eased some food restrictions in late July to reduce shortages, the United Nations insists that significantly more aid is essential.

Israeli forces have urged civilians to evacuate Gaza City ahead of further ground assaults. While tens of thousands have relocated, hundreds of thousands remain. Hamas has encouraged residents to stay put, complicating evacuation efforts.

Troops have been operating inside several eastern suburbs for weeks, transforming much of the area into destroyed wastelands. Israeli forces are closing in on the city center and western districts, where many displaced citizens seek refuge. However, many relocatees are reluctant to move south due to limited safe space and financial constraints.

Musbah Al-Kafarna, a displaced Gaza City resident, lamented the situation: "The bombardment intensified everywhere and we took down the tents, more than twenty families, we do not know where to go."

Over the past week, Israel has carried out five waves of airstrikes on Gaza City, hitting over 500 targets, including Hamas military sites, tunnel entrances, and weapons caches, according to Israeli military statements.

Local authorities in Gaza report that Israeli bombardments have killed at least 40 people across the territory recently, with 28 deaths specifically in Gaza City. Hamas claims that since August 11, Israeli strikes have destroyed at least 1,600 homes and 13,000 tents.

The ongoing Israeli campaign against Hamas, which has lasted nearly two years, follows the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel that resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and the abduction of 251 hostages, based on Israeli figures. Gaza local authorities estimate that the conflict has caused over 64,000 fatalities within the enclave.