Israel intensified its bombing campaign on Gaza City on Tuesday following a visit by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who voiced strong support for Israel’s goal to eradicate Hamas and warned that only days remain for a diplomatic resolution.
Meanwhile, a United Nations commission accused Israel of committing “genocide” against Palestinians in Gaza, charging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials with incitement.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described Gaza City, the territory’s main urban center, as “on fire” early Tuesday.
“The IDF is striking terrorist infrastructure with an iron fist, and our soldiers are bravely fighting to create the conditions necessary to release the hostages and defeat Hamas,” Katz said.
“We will not relent or back down until the mission is accomplished.”
It remained unclear whether a previously announced ground assault on Gaza City had begun.
Witnesses described relentless bombing of Gaza City, much of which is already devastated after nearly two years of Israeli airstrikes following Hamas’s October 2023 attacks that ignited the conflict.
“We can hear their screams,” said Ahmed Ghazal, a 25-year-old resident.
On Monday, Rubio expressed firm support for Israel’s offensive during a meeting with Netanyahu, who has ordered the military to seize Gaza City.
“We believe there is a very short window for a deal. We don’t have months — maybe days or a few weeks,” Rubio said as he departed Israel.
He added that while a diplomatic solution involving Hamas’s demilitarization remains the US preference, “sometimes when you’re dealing with a group of savages like Hamas, that’s not possible, but we hope it can happen.”
Rubio, who also met with families of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, acknowledged the group’s leverage.
“If there were no hostages or civilians in the way, this war would have ended a year and a half ago,” he said at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport.
A group representing hostage families expressed fear for their loved ones following Netanyahu’s order for intensified strikes.
“He is doing everything to ensure there is no deal and not to bring them back,” the group said in a statement.
UN commission accuses Israel of genocide
The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI) — a body distinct from the UN itself and criticized by Israel — declared that “genocide is occurring and continuing” in Gaza.
Commission chair Navi Pillay told AFP: “The responsibility lies with the State of Israel.”
The commission cited statements from Israeli civilian and military officials, along with the pattern of conduct by Israeli forces, as evidence of intent to destroy Palestinians as a group.
The report specifically accused Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant of incitement to genocide.
Israel “categorically rejects this distorted and false report,” calling for the immediate disbandment of the COI.
Before traveling to Qatar, Rubio expressed hope that the Gulf state would continue mediating peace, despite recent Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas leaders there, who had been considering a US truce proposal.
“If any country can help end this through negotiation, it’s Qatar,” Rubio said.
Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for Gaza’s civil defense, reported heavy bombing continuing in Gaza City early Tuesday, with strikes also targeting the southern city of Khan Yunis.
The agency confirmed at least 17 deaths on Tuesday, adding that casualty numbers were rising.
Due to media restrictions and limited access, AFP cannot independently verify these figures.
Rubio’s visit comes just days before a UN summit in France, where several Western governments plan to recognize Palestinian statehood — a move opposed by Israel.
Rubio called such recognition “largely symbolic,” while Netanyahu warned Israel might take unspecified “unilateral steps” in response.
Since Hamas’s October 2023 attack, which killed 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to AFP figures, Israel’s retaliatory campaign has claimed at least 64,905 lives in Gaza, the vast majority civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry — figures considered reliable by the UN.
AFP
