Israel Escalates in Gaza .. Intense Airstrikes and Ground Incursion Despite Trump's Peace Plan

Despite the announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump yesterday of a new peace plan for the Gaza Strip, Israeli airstrikes continued intensively across various areas of the strip, amid a dangerous field escalation and the advance of Israeli tanks towards the center of Gaza City, reflecting a complete disregard for political initiatives.

Journalistic reporters reported that Israeli warplanes launched a series of intense airstrikes this morning using "fire belts" on the southern part of Gaza City, while the Israeli army intensified its shelling of homes in the southern, central, and northern areas, targeting populated regions.

At the same time, Israeli artillery renewed its shelling on the Nasr neighborhood west of the city, and north of the Nuseirat camp in the central strip, in what appears to be a preparation for a wide ground advance.

In a notable field development, Israeli tanks advanced from the eastern and northern axes of Gaza City, reaching the vital Al-Jalaa Street in the center of the city.

The forces also penetrated into Al-Nasr Street, close to Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest medical facility in the strip.

In contrast, Israeli military units moved from the southern side towards the universities area, in what seems to be a coordinated move to impose a complete military cordon around Al-Shifa Hospital, amid international warnings of an imminent humanitarian catastrophe if it is targeted or its supplies are cut off.

In the humanitarian context, the Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), Carl Skau, warned that all 2.2 million residents of Gaza could face famine within a few weeks if food supplies are not urgently and significantly increased.

In an interview with Canadian CBC, Skau explained that no more than 100 trucks loaded with food enter the strip daily, considering this number a "drop in the ocean," and insufficient to meet the minimum needs of the population.

It is worth noting that the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) confirmed two weeks ago that about 1.4 million Palestinians in the strip are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity.

The "Global Report on Food Crises" also recorded the official declaration of famine in Gaza for the first time last month.

Since the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023, between Israel and Hamas, Israel has imposed a severe siege on the Gaza Strip, closing the Rafah crossing from the Palestinian side, and preventing the entry of fuel and aid except for very limited amounts.

The military operations have also led to mass displacement of residents from Gaza City towards the south, with repeated UN warnings of the lack of safe places for civilians amid ongoing bombardment.

While attention was focused yesterday on U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of a "peace plan for the Gaza Strip," the Israeli military machine continued to escalate, casting doubt on the seriousness of implementing the plan or the commitment of the parties to it.

Coinciding with the plan, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attacked the plan, calling it a "resounding diplomatic failure," referring to the Israeli rejection of some of its provisions related to reconstruction or granting Palestinians political influence in the strip.

With the continuation of airstrikes and ground incursion, and the tightening of the noose around medical and humanitarian centers, the Gaza Strip is heading towards a complete humanitarian collapse, amid the inability of international organizations to reach conflict areas or deliver aid, warning of an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in the history of the conflict.