Overview

• Israel said it has entered the initial phase of an intensified operation to take control of Gaza City, with military spokespeople vowing to step up strikes to dismantle Hamas and recover captives.
• The army suspended the daytime “tactical” pause that had allowed limited UN and NGO convoys between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., designating the area a dangerous combat zone and urging residents to move south.
• The bodies of two hostages were recovered in Gaza, including Ilan Weiss of Kibbutz Be’eri, while the second victim awaits identification; authorities say roughly 48–50 hostages remain, about 20 believed alive.
• UN agencies and humanitarian groups cautioned that the escalation will impede aid access, worsen an already confirmed famine in Gaza governorate, and risk large-scale secondary displacement, with UNRWA warning up to a million people could be forced to move again.
• Gaza health authorities reported cumulative deaths exceeding 62,900 and hundreds from hunger, while Israeli officials said preparations are underway to facilitate southward movement of civilians as strikes continue in northern and central areas.