Israeli forces intensified bombardments in eastern Gaza City following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's directive to accelerate plans for a new offensive. Residents reported some of the heaviest attacks in weeks, with tanks and planes targeting neighborhoods and forcing families to flee westward. The escalation comes as Netanyahu vowed to end the war swiftly and seize control of Gaza City, which he described as the center of Hamas operations. International concern has grown, with some European countries halting military exports to Israel and urging restraint.
Amid the renewed violence, an airstrike at Al Shifa Hospital killed six journalists, including a prominent correspondent, marking the deadliest incident for media workers in the conflict so far. Rights groups and media organizations condemned the attack, while Hamas linked the killings to the planned offensive. The ongoing conflict has led to significant casualties and displacement, with Gaza's population facing dire humanitarian conditions and widespread destruction.