Egypt on Tuesday strongly condemned Israel's latest military operation in Gaza City, calling it a dangerous escalation and a blatant violation of international humanitarian law. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry warned that the assault could have far-reaching consequences for the Palestinian territories and the wider region. In a statement, the ministry said Israel's "reckless policies" risk plunging the region into "a new stage of total chaos." It also held international actors accountable for failing to halt what it described as "genocidal crimes," urging urgent intervention to stop the violence. Egypt emphasized that its hospitals continue to receive large numbers of wounded Palestinians and reiterated that the Rafah crossing remains open for humanitarian aid. The ministry warned that continued Israeli military operations are deepening the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and directly threatening regional stability. Meanwhile, former Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi called the ground offensive in central Gaza City "an important step" in dismantling Hamas and rescuing Israeli hostages. He said the military had entered a new operational phase, "better prepared and more ready," adding that the maneuver held "decisive significance for the continuation of the war." Gaza's Health Ministry reported 59 deaths and 386 injuries in the past 24 hours alone, bringing the total since October 7, 2023, to 64,964 killed and 165,312 wounded. In response to the Israeli push, Hamas's Al-Qassam Brigades claimed to have struck an Israeli armored personnel carrier in Khan Younis, while Islamic Jihad's Al-Quds Brigades said they ambushed an Israeli special forces unit northwest of Gaza City, prompting airstrikes for extraction. The Israeli military has urged civilians to evacuate Gaza City via Al-Rashid Street toward areas south of Wadi Gaza, warning that staying in the area "puts their lives in danger." Palestinian presidential spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh denounced the offensive as "a dangerous escalation that threatens the lives of millions and deepens the humanitarian catastrophe." The Palestinian Foreign Ministry also appealed for exceptional international intervention to protect civilians and prevent further displacement. On the international front, tensions continue to rise. In New Zealand, a legal case is challenging the national pension fund's investments in companies linked to illegal Israeli settlements, with hearings scheduled for next month. In Washington, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Hamas that the window for a ceasefire agreement is closing, saying it may be "a matter of days or a few weeks." In a statement, Hamas accused US President Donald Trump of fully aligning with "Israeli propaganda," holding his administration directly responsible for what it called a "genocidal war." The group also linked the fate of Israeli hostages in Gaza to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's military strategy. Meanwhile, leaders from Canada, France, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and the UK held a joint call on Monday to discuss the crisis. The group agreed on the urgent need for a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, the disarmament of Hamas, and the scaling up of humanitarian aid deliveries. Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris, citing a new UN report, declared that it was now "very clear" that genocide was occurring in Gaza, and called for Israel to be held accountable. In a related development, Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Yemen's Hodeidah port. Houthi officials confirmed the strikes, saying their air defenses forced Israeli aircraft to withdraw. Israeli media reported 12 strikes targeting three port docks, aimed at disabling the facility for several weeks.
