Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Israeli airstrikes have intensified across Gaza, with overnight attacks on residential neighborhoods resulting in widespread destruction and casualties. The escalation coincided with a regional tour by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who warned Hamas that it has only a “very short window”, possibly just days or weeks to accept a ceasefire deal with Israel.
Rubio emphasized during his visit that Washington’s preferred outcome remains a negotiated settlement. Speaking at a press conference in Jerusalem before heading to Qatar, the U.S. diplomat reiterated the Biden administration’s unwavering support for Israel, while cautioning Hamas against further resistance.
“Our first option is a negotiated solution in which Hamas lays down its arms and agrees to end all threats to Israel,” Rubio said. “But it’s difficult to reach an agreement with a group of barbarians,” he added, using stark language to describe the Palestinian faction. Despite this, he expressed hope that “progress is still possible.”
“Gaza Is Burning”: Deadly Strikes Level Homes
Eyewitnesses described scenes of devastation across Gaza City, particularly near Al-Shawa Square, where Israeli aircraft struck a densely populated residential block early Tuesday morning.
“There was a terrifying explosion everything shook,” said Ahmad Ghazal, a 25-year-old resident living nearby. “Three homes were flattened instantly, and many families were still inside. We could hear people screaming from beneath the rubble.”
According to Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defense, the airstrikes have resulted in numerous deaths and injuries, with many still trapped beneath the debris. “This was a massacre,” he said. “The bombing was focused and intense. We are still digging people out.”
The Israeli military has not commented publicly on the strike, though Defense Minister Yoav Gallant later posted a terse statement on social media: “Gaza is burning.”
Pressure on Hamas to Agree to Ceasefire
Rubio’s warning to Hamas came just one day after he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, where both leaders stressed the need to eliminate Hamas as a prerequisite for long-term stability in the region.
The American envoy’s message appeared clear: Hamas must act quickly if it wants to avoid further destruction. The diplomatic clock is ticking.
Despite Israel’s recent strike on Hamas political leaders in Doha, an attack that provoked outrage in Qatar, Rubio insisted that Doha remains the only viable mediator in the conflict.
“Qatar still plays a critical role. No other actor has the leverage or access needed to broker a deal,” he said, acknowledging that the future of negotiations now depends on Qatar’s willingness to continue mediating despite the Israeli escalation. Rubio sidelined Egypt with his statement, the true peacemaker, after President Sisi referred to Israel as the “enemy”.
U.S.-Qatar Defense Pact Near Completion
In a related development, Rubio revealed that the U.S. and Qatar are close to finalizing a new, enhanced defense cooperation agreement. Details of the agreement have not been made public, but officials suggest it will deepen strategic ties between the two nations and reinforce U.S. military presence in the region.
The announcement comes amid heightened tension following Israel’s airstrike in Qatar and growing international criticism of its military campaign in Gaza.
Mounting Global Condemnation
The recent escalation has drawn renewed condemnation from the international community. Human rights organizations, UN agencies, and several foreign governments have expressed alarm over the civilian toll of Israel’s operations, which have left neighborhoods in ruins and displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.
Local health officials in Gaza say the death toll has surpassed 64,000 since Israel’s military campaign began in response to the October 2023 Hamas attack, which left 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage. Israel says it is determined to dismantle Hamas’s military capabilities, but critics warn that the war is rapidly turning into a humanitarian catastrophe.
Back in Gaza, civilians remain caught in the crossfire. “Every hour, a new house collapses. Every hour, new bodies are pulled out,” said one paramedic. “We are running out of time and running out of hope.”
As diplomatic pressure mounts and the violence escalates, the fate of Gaza’s civilians and the possibility of a ceasefire remain deeply uncertain.
