Israeli escalates airstrikes in Gaza: Large-scale offensive seems imminent with ceasefire negotiations stuck

Israel conducted massive waves of airstrikes in the Gaza Strip overnight, with Hamas-affiliated sources reporting up to 100 people killed since Thursday. Israel Defense Forces appear to prepare the ground for Operation Gideon’s Chariots due to stalled ceasefire negotiations with Hamas terrorist organization.

According to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry, the latest strikes focused on northern Gaza, including the areas of Jabaliya and Beit Lahia.

On Thursday morning, a journalist with the Associated Press said he had counted 20 bodies at the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza, with many more potentially still buried under rubble.

Unconfirmed reports at the time of publication indicated that Israeli tanks were advancing in the area, fueling speculation that the new ground offensive had begun.

However, Israeli media reported that the Security Cabinet was due to meet on Sunday, indicating that final approval for the offensive would only be issued after the weekend.

The new strikes followed a slow but steady escalation of Israeli strikes since the attempted elimination of Hamas military leader Mohammed Sinwar on Tuesday.

The measures may be intended either to prepare the ground for the offensive – set to begin after U.S. President Donald Trump concludes his four-day visit to the Gulf – or to pressure Hamas into agreeing to a ceasefire.

“These are significant strikes that not only destroy Hamas’s terrorist assets but will also assist maneuvering forces,” military officials told Ynet News.

Meanwhile, negotiations in Qatar continued into Friday without any reports of a new breakthrough.

On Thursday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had spoken with White House envoy Steve Witkoff and U.S. State Secretary Marco Rubio, though he did not disclose any details.

Israel continues to adhere to the Witkoff ceasefire proposal and maintains its demands for Hamas’ total surrender, disarmament and exile, which the terror group has consistently refused.

Hamas insists that any ceasefire deal must include a commitment from Israel to end the war and has refused to lay down its weapons.

On Friday morning, some hostage families slammed the apparent move toward the large-scale offensive, while others called to increase military pressure.

The larger, mainstream Hostage and Missing Families Forum bemoaned that Israel was about to lose the “opportunity of the century” in a few hours.

“Hostage families awoke this morning with a heavy heart and great fear over the reports of intensified attacks in the Strip and the approaching end of President Trump’s visit to the region,” the forum stated. “The missed historic opportunity is a resounding Israeli failure. The effort to stall the proposals that are on the table will be remembered for a lifetime.”

“These are critical hours, hours that will determine the future of our loved ones, the future of Israeli society, and the future of the Middle East. We urge the prime minister and the president of the United States to reach a breakthrough,” the statement continued.

Trump was due to leave the region around noon local time, following meetings in the United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile. the more hawkish Tikva Forum said that reports of intensified attacks “indicate that the direction is right. The military pressure must be much stronger, with high intensity and coordinated with political pressure, a complete siege, a water and electricity cut-off, and a real decision.”

“The justification for the operational activity is solely for the release of all our hostages at once, without selection and several rounds. This time we must decide. We must win. We must return everyone home.”