Israeli forces pushed toward central Gaza City on Wednesday, intensifying shelling that medics said shut hospitals and trapped civilians, even as U.S. President Donald Trump discussed a ceasefire, hostage releases and humanitarian aid with leaders of Muslim-majority states at the United Nations.
Israel says the assault is necessary to dismantle Hamas and free hostages still held in the enclave nearly two years into the war. It has urged residents to move south, but many have remained in Gaza City, citing danger on the roads and hunger.
“We moved to the western area near the beach, but many families didn’t have time — tanks took them by surprise,” said Thaer, 35, from Tel Al-Hawa.
Airstrikes on Wednesday killed at least 50 people across Gaza, mostly in Gaza City, medics said, including at a shelter near a central market and a nearby house. The Israeli military said it struck two Hamas militants and sought to limit civilian harm. Reuters footage showed people digging through rubble.
Witnesses reported tanks entering residential blocks in Tel Al-Hawa and massing near Al-Quds Hospital. The Palestinian Red Crescent said an oxygen station was damaged. Tanks were also seen closer to Al Shifa Hospital, according to witnesses and Hamas media. The Israeli military said gunfire originated from within the Shifa compound; Hamas denied it. Israel released aerial footage showing shots from windows; it did not immediately detail how it identified the shooters. A Hamas security official blamed “criminal gangs” outside the facility. Reuters could not verify the accounts.
In the occupied West Bank, two Palestinians were killed in the past 24 hours — one in an Israeli raid near Jenin and another shot by an Israeli settler near Ramallah — the Palestinian Health Ministry said. The Israeli military had no immediate comment.
International frustration has mounted over the Gaza campaign, with several Israeli and U.S. allies recognizing a Palestinian state this week. Gaza’s Health Ministry says more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed and famine has spread. In Israel, support has frayed as 48 hostages — 20 believed alive — remain in Gaza and 465 soldiers have died in combat.
Trump, who criticized moves to pressure Israel through recognition of Palestinian statehood, said a meeting with Israeli officials would follow his talks with Muslim leaders.
Hamas has acknowledged losing some commanders but has not disclosed total fighter deaths. The war began when Hamas fighters stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and seizing 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.