Israeli forces, using planes and tanks, heavily bombarded the eastern and northern suburbs of Gaza City overnight from Saturday to Sunday. According to residents, the attacks destroyed numerous buildings and homes, as Israeli leaders confirmed their resolve to proceed with a planned ground offensive on the city.

Witnesses reported continuous explosions in the Zeitoun and Shejaia areas, while tanks shelled houses and roads in the nearby Sabra neighborhood. Additionally, several buildings were blown up in the northern town of Jabalia. The skies were lit up by fire from the explosions, causing widespread panic and prompting some families to flee the city. However, others stated they would rather die than leave their homes.

In a separate development, Israeli strikes also hit the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, on Sunday. This was a retaliatory action against Houthi rebels who had fired missiles towards Israel. Houthi media reported that the strikes resulted in at least two deaths and five injuries. These attacks are the latest in a series of direct confrontations between Israel and the Houthi rebels, a conflict that has intensified as a spillover from the ongoing hostilities in Gaza. The Israeli military confirmed that their targets in Sanaa included a military compound located within the presidential palace, two power plants, and a fuel storage site.

The Israeli military stated on Sunday that its forces had returned to combat in Gaza's Jabalia to reinforce control of the area. They added that this operation "enables the expansion of combat into additional areas and prevents Hamas from returning to operate in these areas."

Earlier this month, Israel approved a plan to seize control of Gaza City, which it describes as the last stronghold of Hamas fighters. The offensive is not expected to begin for a few weeks, which leaves a window for mediators from Egypt and Qatar to attempt to revive ceasefire talks.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz affirmed on Sunday that the offensive would proceed, despite the declaration of famine in Gaza City, which has sparked international alarm and domestic opposition. Katz has previously stated that the city would be razed unless Hamas agrees to release all hostages. In response, Hamas issued a statement on Sunday, claiming that Israel's plan to take over Gaza City proves it is not serious about a ceasefire. The group reiterated that a ceasefire agreement is the "only way to return the hostages," and held Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responsible for their lives.

A current ceasefire proposal on the table includes a 60-day truce, the release of 10 living hostages, and 18 bodies in exchange for the release of approximately 200 long-serving Palestinian prisoners. Under the proposal, once a temporary ceasefire is in place, both sides would begin negotiations for a permanent ceasefire, including the return of the remaining hostages.

On Thursday, Netanyahu said Israel would immediately resume negotiations for the release of all 50 hostages, of whom he believes about 20 are still alive. However, he stated that the terms must be acceptable to Israel, and it would not halt its nearly two-year-old military campaign.

The conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, with a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, has since resulted in the deaths of at least 62,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to the Gaza health ministry. The Israeli military offensive has left a large part of the territory in ruins and displaced nearly its entire population. The Gaza health ministry also reported on Sunday that eight more people have died from malnutrition and starvation, bringing the total deaths from these causes to 289, including 115 children. Israel disputes these fatality figures.

Sources