Gaza City evacuation mandated by Israel; Trump confirms intensive discussions with Hamas on the U.S. side
The United Nations' leading body on hunger has declared famine in Gaza for the first time, marking a dire turn in the ongoing crisis. This announcement comes as the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) continue their military campaign, which has claimed over 64,000 lives in Gaza since its inception, including thousands of children.
Amidst the chaos, Israeli forces have ordered civilians to evacuate to designated safe zones. Residents of Gaza City have been instructed to move to a humanitarian zone, while the IDF spokesperson urged civilians to relocate to the Al-Mawasi safe zone in Khan Younis.
The conflict has seen Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu push for an all-or-nothing deal, with the aim of securing the release of all hostages and Hamas' surrender. Netanyahu has described Gaza City as Hamas' last bastion and has ordered the military to seize the enclave's largest urban hub.
The IDF's offensive in Gaza City has been relentless, with the military controlling approximately 40% of the city, home to about 1 million people prior to the war. The IDF has been carrying out heavy strikes on Gaza City for weeks, advancing through northern suburbs. On Friday, the IDF destroyed a high-rise tower in a densely populated part of Gaza City.
The crisis has taken a personal toll, with two Israeli hostages, Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Alon Ohel, still being held in Gaza. According to reports, another 20 hostages are thought to be alive. Hamas released a video showing Gilboa-Dalal and Ohel, who were abducted during the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks at a music festival. Another known hostage, Itay Chen, is suspected to be held by Hamas since the same attack, but he was not confirmed in the video.
President Donald Trump has stated that the U.S. is in "deep" negotiations with Hamas, but warned that the situation would become "tough" and "nasty" if Hamas does not release all the hostages. Gilboa-Dalal spoke in a video released by Hamas, expressing fear of being killed in Israel's assault.
The Mushtaha Tower, which was being used for displaced people, was destroyed by the IDF. Its management denied that the tower was used for anything other than civilian purposes. Some of the footage in the video released by Hamas was taken in a car on Aug. 28, but NBC News could not independently verify when it was recorded.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the ongoing operation as lifting the lock from the gates of hell in Gaza, adding: "When the door opens, it will not close." The IDF's offensive in Gaza City aims to seize control of the area, with the Israeli military now controlling about 75% of Gaza.
This escalating conflict in Gaza continues to unfold, with both sides urging for a resolution that prioritizes the safety and well-being of civilians. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with calls for peace and an end to the violence growing louder each day.
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