The attack has begun: Israeli forces have declared Gaza City a "war zone" and launched military operations, sparking the ire of Hamas, which has promised a "bloodbath" for the Jewish state's soldiers. Then, the diplomatic bombshell dropped by the Americans rained down on the Palestinians, who have decided to revoke the visas of representatives of the Palestinian National Authority, including President Abbas , slamming the door in their faces on the eve of the next UN General Assembly.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT – "In accordance with the assessment of the situation and directives from the political level, starting today at 10:00 a.m., the local tactical pause in military activity (for aid distribution) will not apply to the Gaza City area, which is a dangerous combat zone," the Israeli army announced this morning. A few hours later, spokesman Avichay Adraee clarified that "we are not waiting; we have begun the initial phases of the attack on Gaza City," while at the same time, Al Jazeera correspondents in the city reported "thousands of displaced persons fleeing under a sky darkened by bombing smoke."

The IDF is heavily pounding the suburbs where it operates "with great force." Israel's planned occupation of the Gaza Strip "will have a devastating effect on its military and political leadership," and "the enemy army will pay the price with the bloodbath of its soldiers," threatened Abu Obeida, spokesman for Hamas's armed wing, the Qassam Brigades.

The hostages "run the same risks as Palestinian fighters," he added ominously in a message warning that "if they die, the Israeli government will be responsible."

Israeli forces, who claim responsibility for killing the alleged ISIS leader in the Gaza Strip, along with Shin Bet operatives, recovered the body of hostage Ilan Weiss, a 56-year-old killed in the early hours of October 7, two years ago, during the attack on Kibbutz Beeri. His wife, Shiri, and daughter, Noga, kidnapped by Hamas, were released under the November 2023 agreement. The remains of another body, likely that of another hostage, are being identified.