Israel reiterated its call for Hamas to surrender on Sunday, as its military conducted strikes on Gaza’s largest urban center, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are seeking shelter.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told reporters in Jerusalem that the war could end immediately if Hamas released the remaining hostages in Gaza and laid down its weapons. “We will be more than happy to reach this objective with political means,” he said.
In response, senior Hamas official Basem Naim told Reuters that Hamas would not lay down its arms. However, the group would release all hostages if Israel agreed to end the war and withdraw its forces from Gaza. This stance aligns with Hamas’ long-standing position.
Military Strikes and Civilian Impact
Israel launched an assault on Gaza City last month as overnight strikes killed 14 people across the city, including a strike on a school sheltering displaced Palestinians. The military stated it had targeted a Hamas militant and warned civilians before the strike.
Israeli forces continue to operate against terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip to remove threats to Israeli civilians. Gaza City resident Emad pleaded for a ceasefire, asking, “How long is this going to go? How many lives are going to be wasted? Enough is enough.”
The military destroyed two high-rise buildings sheltering displaced Palestinians over the weekend, claiming that Hamas used these buildings and that civilians were warned in advance. However, Israel has not provided evidence to support this claim, which Hamas denies.
International Response and Humanitarian Concerns
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen called on Israel to change course and stop its military campaign. He expressed extreme concern about the humanitarian situation and called for the release of hostages.
Many Palestinians have fled Gaza City in recent weeks, but others refuse to leave after multiple displacements. The military warned civilians to move south, where hundreds of thousands are already sheltering in cramped tent encampments along the coast.
US President Donald Trump, who promised a swift end to the war during his campaign, stated that Washington is in “very deep” negotiations with Hamas. Hamas official Naim expressed hope that Trump was serious about reaching a deal.
The war has become increasingly unpopular among some segments of Israeli society as tens of thousands of protesters joined families of hostages at rallies, demanding an end to the war and the release of captives.
