Hamas releases hostage video amidst Israel's ongoing advancement in Gaza City

In the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, the situation in Gaza City has reached a critical point. The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) has intensified its operations, controlling approximately 40% of the city and planning to push further in the coming days.

The IDF's operations have been met with resistance from various quarters. Hamas denies Israeli assertions that they have embedded military infrastructure inside residential buildings in Gaza City. In response, Hamas has released a video of two hostages, Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Alon Ohel, and warned that "time is running out." The Hostages and Missing Families Forum issued a warning that the planned military escalation could place their loved ones in immediate peril.

The IDF's operations have taken a heavy toll on the civilian population. The Israeli offensive has left much of Gaza in ruins, and over 63,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The escalation is causing a catastrophe for the almost one million people who remain in Gaza City. Unicef spokeswoman Tess Ingram states that malnutrition and famine are weakening children's bodies, displacement strips them of shelter and care, and bombardments threaten their every move. UN children's organisation Unicef warns that "childhood cannot survive" in Gaza City due to the ongoing conflict.

The displacement of residents is a significant concern. Nearly 100,000 residents of Gaza City have already fled south due to the ongoing fighting. Displacement is a red line for Egypt, and they will not allow it to happen, according to Abdelatty. Egypt's foreign minister reiterated that Cairo will not tolerate the mass displacement of Palestinians, accusing Israel of committing genocide.

The IDF has admitted that the planned military operations in Gaza City will increase the chances of the 20 living hostages being wounded or killed and dead hostages disappearing, citing a lack of accurate information on their whereabouts. In the video, Gilboa-Dalal said he couldn't believe he was still alive after 22 months of war, and that he was being held in Gaza City.

Israel's defence minister, Israel Katz, has advocated for strengthening military operations in Gaza City. The IDF announced plans to carry out strikes against multistory buildings in Gaza City, claiming Hamas had converted them into military infrastructure. The IDF struck the Al-Mushtaha tower in Gaza City three times after residents were called to evacuate.

The conflict, now in its 700th day, has sparked nationwide protests in Israel. Israelis protested countrywide on the 700th day of the Gaza war, with a mass rally planned in Jerusalem on Saturday night. The war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7th, 2023. As the conflict continues, the future remains uncertain for both Israelis and Palestinians in Gaza City.