In a stark declaration on Tuesday, Israel’s Defence Minister stated, "Gaza is burning," following a night of intense airstrikes that pounded Gaza City. These powerful overnight operations are part of Israel’s anticipated new offensive targeting the heavily populated area.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking to reporters as he departed Israel for Qatar, indicated that this major offensive had already commenced. "The Israelis have begun their operations there. We believe there’s a very narrow window for a deal to materialize," Mr. Rubio cautioned. "We no longer have months; we likely have days, perhaps a few weeks at most."
Rubio articulated the preferred outcome: "Our primary hope is for this conflict to conclude through a negotiated settlement, where Hamas commits to demilitarization and ceases to pose a threat." However, he added a sobering note: "Sometimes, when confronting a group as brutal as Hamas, that path may not be feasible, but we remain hopeful it can be achieved."
Earlier, on Monday, Mr. Rubio held discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. During their meeting, Rubio publicly endorsed Israel’s new offensive in Gaza City and its stated objective of completely dismantling Hamas.