Heavy shelling forces Gaza families to flee as Israelis protest to end war

Gaza City / Tel Aviv – More Palestinian families fled Gaza City on Tuesday after a night of heavy Israeli aerial and tank shelling that destroyed homes and roads in the eastern neighborhoods of Sabra, Shejaia and Tuffah, as well as Jabalia to the north.

Residents described the bombardments as “earthquakes,” aimed at scaring people into abandoning their homes. The Israeli military said its operations target Hamas weapons caches and tunnels, while officials confirmed preparations for a new offensive in Gaza City, which Israel describes as Hamas’ last stronghold.

Local health authorities reported at least 34 Palestinians killed overnight and into Tuesday, including 18 around Gaza City. The strikes followed Monday’s attack on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, where at least 20 people were killed, among them five journalists working for Reuters, the Associated Press, and Al Jazeera. Cameraman Hussam al-Masri, a Reuters contractor, was among the dead.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed regret over what he called a “tragic mishap,” while the Israeli military launched an inquiry but insisted the journalists were not targeted. Press watchdogs say the conflict has become one of the deadliest wars for journalists, with nearly 200 killed since October 2023.

Displacement and Humanitarian Crisis

Nearly half of Gaza’s two million residents remain in Gaza City, though thousands have already moved westward toward the coast or south to central Gaza and the Al-Muwasi area near Khan Younis. The war has displaced almost the entire population, with Israel’s campaign killing more than 62,000 Palestinians — most of them civilians — according to Gaza health ministry figures cited by the UN.

Israeli ‘Day of Disruption’

In Israel, anger over the government’s handling of the war erupted into nationwide protests on Tuesday, as demonstrators blocked roads in Tel Aviv and rallied outside ministers’ homes, holding pictures of hostages still held in Gaza.

“For 690 days, the government has been waging a war without a clear objective,” said Einav Zangauker, mother of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker. “How will the hostages be returned? Who will govern Gaza the day after?”

Ruby Chen, whose son was abducted in October 2023, accused Netanyahu of prioritizing Hamas’ destruction over hostage release, even at the cost of captives’ lives.

Tens of thousands are expected at a major rally outside Israel’s defense headquarters later on Tuesday, while the security cabinet meets to discuss possible negotiations on a ceasefire and hostage deal.

War Background

The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led gunmen attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and seizing 251 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory campaign has since devastated Gaza, with only 49 hostages still held nearly two years later, according to Israeli officials, 27 of them believed dead.

Despite mounting domestic protests and international condemnation, Netanyahu has ordered preparations for a new offensive to seize Gaza City while also authorizing fresh talks to secure the release of captives. Hamas has said it accepted a ceasefire plan proposed by mediators, which would involve a phased release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

Regional Tensions

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the military will maintain positions at Mount Hermon and a buffer zone to protect Golan Heights residents from threats out of Syria. Syria accused Israel of sending 60 troops across the border in violation of its sovereignty, even as both sides engage in US-mediated talks aimed at easing tensions.

Katz described the move as “necessary” to protect northern settlements, saying Israel had “learned the lessons of October 7.”