Israel Vows Escalated Attacks on Gaza

(MENAFN) Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed on Monday to escalate air assaults targeting Gaza City and its high-rise buildings in the northern Gaza Strip.

“Today, a powerful hurricane will strike the skies of Gaza City, and the roofs of the terror towers will tremble,” Katz declared on the US social media company X.

On Friday, the Israeli military commenced bombing multi-story buildings that are sheltering hundreds of displaced civilians in Gaza City, asserting that its strikes are aimed at Hamas infrastructure.

Katz emphasized that the army "continues as planned -- and is preparing to expand the maneuver to defeat Gaza,” unless all hostages held in Gaza are released.

The ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of more than 64,000 Palestinians since the October 2023 Hamas attacks, during which approximately 1,200 Israelis were killed and over 200 were taken captive.

Of the roughly 50 hostages reportedly still held in Gaza, up to 20 are believed to remain alive.

The offensive has devastated the enclave, which is now facing severe famine.

According to the international human rights organization Human Rights Watch, Israel has destroyed 90% of Gaza’s infrastructure, including residential buildings, forcing nearly 1 million civilians to seek shelter in schools and university facilities.

Israel’s security cabinet had approved a plan in August for the military occupation of Gaza City.

In November of last year, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

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