Israeli Forces Kill 18 Palestinians In Escalated Gaza Offensive Amid Ceasefire Negotiations

On Tuesday, Israeli forces killed at least 18 Palestinians during the second day of an intensified military offensive in the Gaza Strip, an action that Islamist militant group Hamas claims is jeopardizing ongoing ceasefire talks.

Qatari and Egyptian mediators, with support from the United States, have ramped up efforts this week to broker a ceasefire aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza. The proposed deal includes the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

Israeli tanks advanced further into several Gaza City districts, including Shejaia, Sabra, and Tel Al-Hawa, areas that witnessed some of the most intense fighting since the war began. Following evacuation orders from the Israeli military, thousands of residents were forced to leave their homes in northern Gaza City, moving towards the Mediterranean coast and southern parts of the territory.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh warned that the Israeli assault “could bring the negotiation process back to square one.” The armed wings of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad claimed they engaged Israeli forces in Tel Al-Hawa with anti-tank rockets and mortar fire, reportedly causing casualties, though the Israeli military did not immediately respond to these claims.

In a statement, the Israeli military reported ongoing operations in Gaza City based on intelligence indicating the presence of Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters in the area. The military stated that it had neutralized dozens of fighters and discovered numerous weapons caches.

Palestinian health officials reported that an Israeli airstrike killed six people in a house in Gaza City, while nine others died in another strike on two houses in Al-Nuseirat and Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza. Additionally, an airstrike in Tel Al-Sultan in western Rafah, on the southern edge of the Gaza Strip, resulted in three more Palestinian deaths.

The conflict, which began on October 7, was triggered when fighters led by Hamas, the governing body in Gaza, launched an attack on southern Israel. This assault resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the taking of approximately 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures.