Israel launches new offensive to strain Hamas to launch hostages as meals disaster continues in Gaza

The Israeli army launched a brand new operation within the Gaza Strip to strain Hamas to launch the remaining hostages, the protection minister stated on Saturday.

Protection Minister Israel Katz stated Operation Gideon Chariots started and was being led with “nice pressure” by Israel’s military.

“The heroism of IDF troopers, the unity of the individuals and the willpower of the political echelon improve the prospect of the return of the hostages – because it was then and as it’s now,” he stated.

The operation follows days of intensive strikes throughout the territory that killed a whole lot of individuals.

IDF spokesperson Col. Avichai Adraee, in a videotaped assertion from the Gaza Strip, stated troops have been “increasing and growing the bombing and strain on Hamas all through the Strip – from north to south, above and under floor, and even exterior the Strip.”

The military stated it won’t cease till the hostages are returned and Hamas dismantled.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed earlier within the week to escalate strain on Hamas with the purpose of destroying the militant group that has dominated Gaza for practically 20 years.

Greater than 150 individuals have been killed in Israeli strikes within the final 24 hours, in line with the Hamas-run Gaza Well being Ministry. It stated greater than 3,000 have been killed since Israel broke a January ceasefire on March 18.

Humanitarian disaster continues

The operation additionally comes as U.S. President Trump concluded his journey to the Center East with out a go to to Israel.

There had been hope that Mr. Trump’s go to to the area may improve possibilities of a ceasefire deal or the resumption of humanitarian help to Gaza, which Israel has prevented for practically three months. 

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Netanyahu by cellphone Saturday from Rome. They mentioned the continuing battle in Gaza and their joint efforts to safe the discharge of all remaining hostages, spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated.

On Friday, Mr. Trump echoed a warning name that folks have been ravenous within the besieged Palestinian territory.

“We’re taking a look at Gaza. And we’ll get that taken care of. Lots of people are ravenous,” the president instructed reporters.

Israel has imposed a blockade for over two months on Gaza, main United Nations companies and different humanitarian teams to warn of quickly dwindling gasoline, meals and medication provides within the Palestinian territory that, earlier than the battle, was dwelling to about 2.4 million individuals.

Meals safety consultants say Gaza shall be in famine if the blockade is not lifted.

The Israeli authorities has repeatedly denied that Gaza is dealing with hunger and stated the blockade is to pressure Hamas to launch the remaining hostages taken within the Oct. 7 assault.

In accordance with the World Meals Programme, there are at the very least 14,000 kids in Gaza who’re malnourished.

A kind of kids is Najwa Hajaj, who needed to be discharged from a hospital as a result of it ran out of meals and medication. Her mom says the 6-year-old woman weighs simply 13 lbs, which is the common weight of a 3-month-old child.

“She is dying in my palms, and I am unable to do something,” her father, Hussain Hajaj, instructed CBS Information. “I can barely feed her, I do not know what to do.”

Ongoing talks in Doha

In the meantime, Qatari and Egyptian-led negotiations to dealer a ceasefire within the battle between Israel and Hamas are underway in Doha. Following talks between Qatar and Mr. Trump final week, there’s a renewed push by mediators from the U.S. and Qatar to achieve a deal, a supply with information of the talks confirmed to CBS Information.

A Hamas delegation is at present holding a crucial assembly with the Qatari international minister and a delegation representing Egyptian intelligence relating to prisoner trade negotiations, a supply instructed CBS Information. A delegation from Israel can be participating within the talks, Israeli Protection Minister Israel Katz confirmed.

Steve Witkoff, U.S. particular envoy to the Center East, is actively engaged on Saturday on attempting to place collectively a ceasefire-type mechanism to free extra hostages, CBS Information confirmed. Witkoff had helped to dealer the cope with Hamas to launch the final residing Israel-American hostage, Edan Alexander, simply days earlier than Trump’s week-long journey by way of the area.

Qatari Prime Minister Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani instructed Fox Information his authorities helped persuade Hamas to hold out the discharge, which was meant to be a primary step towards having an entire hostage deal. Nonetheless, the prime minister stated a bloodbath at a hospital in Gaza the subsequent day scuttled these efforts.

On Saturday, there’s a renewed push by mediators from Egypt and Qatar, together with U.S. assist, to see if a ceasefire settlement could be reached that may launch the remaining hostages and finish the three-month Israel blockade in Gaza.

The battle started on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led terrorists attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 individuals and abducting 251 others. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed greater than 53,000 Palestinians, lots of them ladies and youngsters, in line with Gaza’s Well being Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.

Margaret Brennan

contributed to this report.