Residents of Gaza City are ordered to vacate due to impending military action by Israel

In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the Qatar Prime Minister has urged Hamas to accept the latest ceasefire and hostage deal, as part of a joint mediation effort by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. However, these efforts have so far been unsuccessful, with Israel's military ordering Gaza City residents to evacuate ahead of a new offensive to seize the enclave's largest urban center.

Since the war began on October 7, 2023, Israel has taken control of 75% of Gaza, resulting in the death of over 1,200 people and the capture of 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. The UN rights chief has denounced what they perceive as genocidal rhetoric from Israel regarding Gaza, while the international community criticizes Israel's plan to demilitarize Gaza and take security control, as it could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis faced by the 2.2 million population, who are at risk of famine.

Israeli authorities claim that 20 of the remaining 48 hostages in Gaza are still alive, but Hamas has said it would not disarm unless an independent Palestinian state is established. The offensive has internally displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza and left much of the territory in ruins. The planned takeover of the city, home to one million Palestinians, complicates ceasefire efforts to end the nearly two-year war.

Meanwhile, the UN has been silent on the event titled "Remembering the past and jointly shaping a bright future". Elsewhere, the Prime Minister of Japan is expected to resign to avoid a party split ahead of a possible new leadership race.

In a separate development, the popular Gaza ice cream brand 'Kazem' has opened its first UAE branch after fleeing the war. This news, while not directly related to the ongoing conflict, serves as a reminder of the impact the war has had on the lives of ordinary Palestinians.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel has no choice but to complete the job and defeat Hamas, as the Palestinian militant group has refused to lay down its arms. The offensive is part of Netanyahu's plan to take on Hamas' two remaining strongholds. The military assault in Gaza has killed over 62,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry.

Netanyahu's stance contrasts with the pleas for peace from international leaders, who are urging both parties to find a diplomatic solution to end the violence and alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza. The international community is closely watching the developments in Gaza, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict that will bring an end to the humanitarian crisis and pave the way for a brighter future for all those affected.

Residents of Gaza City are ordered to vacate due to impending military action by Israel