Gaza City came under intense bombardment Tuesday, just hours after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged full support to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s renewed military campaign against Hamas.
Witnesses described “heavy, relentless bombing” that flattened homes and left residents trapped beneath debris. “We can hear their screams,” said Ahmed Ghazal, 25, a resident of the city.
Rubio, on his first visit to Jerusalem as Washington’s top diplomat, stood firmly beside Netanyahu on Monday, declaring that Israel could “count on our unwavering support” in its effort to eliminate Hamas. His remarks contrasted with President Donald Trump’s recent criticism of Israeli strikes that killed Hamas leaders in Qatar, a key US ally.
Despite Trump’s rebuke, Rubio dismissed Qatari-led ceasefire negotiations and branded Hamas “barbaric animals” for the October 7, 2023 assault that triggered the ongoing war. He is scheduled to travel to Qatar Tuesday in an effort to ease tensions with the Gulf emirate, which hosts the largest US air base in the region.
Civilian toll mounts
According to Gaza’s civil defence agency, Israeli airstrikes continued across Gaza City Tuesday, with fresh attacks also reported in Khan Yunis. Spokesman Mahmud Bassal said casualties were climbing by the hour, following strikes that killed 49 people on Monday alone. Media restrictions prevent independent verification of the figures, though the United Nations has deemed Gaza’s health ministry tolls credible.
The health ministry says more than 64,900 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory campaign since October 2023. Hamas’s initial assault left 1,219 people dead in Israel, also mostly civilians, according to official figures compiled by AFP.
Diplomatic backdrop
Rubio’s visit comes ahead of a UN summit led by France, where several US allies are expected to push for recognition of a Palestinian state. Netanyahu’s government strongly opposes the move, with far-right cabinet members even calling for annexation of the occupied West Bank.
Netanyahu hailed Rubio’s trip as a “clear message” of American solidarity, praising Trump as “the greatest friend Israel has ever had.” At a joint press conference, Rubio said, “The people of Gaza deserve a better future — but that future cannot begin until Hamas is eliminated.”
Rubio also met with families of hostages still held in Gaza. Of the 251 people seized during the October 7 attack, 47 remain in captivity, including 25 whom the Israeli military believes are dead.
