Escalating Conflict: Israel Tightens Siege on Gaza City as Peace Talks Loom

Fri Oct 10 2025 15:11:13 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Amid intense military action, Israel's defense minister has warned Gaza City residents to evacuate as the IDF extends its military control. This escalation coincides with Hamas's consideration of a controversial U.S. peace plan proposed by former President Trump.

Israel has significantly intensified its military operations around Gaza City, described as Hamas's last stronghold. Following a sharp warning to civilians to move south, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are tightening their control over key military corridors. Hospitals report numerous casualties from recent strikes, leading to a suspension of humanitarian operations by the International Committee of the Red Cross. As the conflict escalates, Hamas weighs a new U.S. peace proposal amidst increasing geopolitical pressure.

Israel's defence minister has announced a tightening of the siege around Gaza City, asserting that military control of a corridor towards the coast is being extended. Katz has urged the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians remaining in the city to evacuate, threatening that those who do not will be regarded as 'terrorists.' Meanwhile, hospitals report that 45 people were killed by Israeli strikes, prompting the International Committee of the Red Cross to halt its operations in the region.

Hamas is currently deliberating a peace plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, amid increased military pressure from Israel. According to reports, Arab and Turkish mediators are pressing for a positive response from Hamas, but indications suggest that the group may reject the proposal.

The IDF has labeled Gaza City as the centre of Hamas operations, and recent efforts focus on the rescue of 48 hostages still held by the group. By capturing the Netzarim corridor, Katz asserts that the IDF aims to tighten the siege and force any fleeing residents to pass through extensive IDF checkpoints.

The ICRC has reiterated the obligation of Israel, as the occupying power, to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian aid, highlighting the catastrophic conditions facing tens of thousands in the Gaza Strip.

Following a series of military escalations, the humanitarian outlook continues to worsen, with food, medical supplies, and basic needs being critically unmet for many residents.

Simultaneously, the new peace plan includes demands for hostage releases in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, disarmament of Hamas, and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops. Trump has warned that time is running out for Hamas to accept these terms or face dire consequences, while internal voices within Israel express mixed reactions to the plan's implications.