Israel pushes Gaza City offensive as 34 Palestinians killed

Israel intensified its assault on Gaza City and the wider Gaza Strip on Saturday, targeting underground shafts and booby-trapped buildings in strikes that killed 34 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials.

The escalation comes just days before 10 countries — including Australia, Belgium, Britain and Canada — are set to formally recognise an independent Palestinian state on Monday, ahead of the U.N. General Assembly.

The Israeli military has launched a sweeping demolition campaign against high-rise buildings in Gaza City alongside its ground offensive. Forces now control much of the city’s eastern suburbs and are advancing through the Sheikh Radwan and Tel Al-Hawa districts, aiming for central and western neighborhoods where hundreds of thousands of displaced residents are sheltering.

Military officials estimate that up to 20 tower blocks have been destroyed in the past two weeks and that roughly 350,000 people have fled Gaza City since early September. Around 600,000 remain, among them Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

Hamas’ military wing on Saturday released an image of some hostages via Telegram, warning their lives were endangered by the Israeli operation.

Nearly two years into the conflict, Gaza’s health ministry reports more than 65,000 Palestinians killed, widespread famine, and mass displacement. Israel rejects claims of famine, saying Hamas could end the war by surrendering, releasing hostages, and disarming. Hamas insists it will not lay down arms until a Palestinian state is established.

The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched deadly attacks in Israel that killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken. Of those, 48 remain in Gaza, with around 20 believed to be alive.