Skip next section Israel says ‘Gaza is burning’ amid heavy Gaza City strikes
09/16/2025September 16, 2025
Israel says ‘Gaza is burning’ amid heavy Gaza City strikes
said was “burning,” as witnesses reported heavy shelling by the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza City.
“The IDF is striking terrorist infrastructure with an iron fist, and IDF soldiers are fighting bravely to create the necessary conditions for the release of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas,” Katz said in a statement.
“We will not relent and we will not back down until the mission is accomplished,” he added.
The Associated Press news agency cited residents as saying intense strikes had hit across Gaza City, with one strike hitting at least three houses in the southwestern side of the city.
The French AFP news agency also reported, citing witnesses, that heavy bombing of Gaza City has leveled homes and left people trapped under the rubble.
https://p.dw.com/p/50WNa
Skip next section Israel bombs Gaza City — reports
09/16/2025September 16, 2025
Israel bombs Gaza City — reports
Israel heavily bombarded Gaza City on Tuesday, according to media reports.
Witnesses told the AFP news agency that “heavy, relentless bombing on Gaza City” has leveled homes and left people trapped under the rubble.
on September 9, Israel launched an airstrike against Hamas leaders in Qatar as it expanded military operations that have ranged across the Middle East.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday backed Israel’s stated goal of eradicating Hamas. “The people of Gaza deserve a better future, but that better future cannot begin until Hamas is eliminated,” Rubio told reporters at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel “can count on our unwavering support,” he said.
About 1 million people in Gaza City are facing intensified Israeli bombardment and a final evacuation order. But residents said there was nowhere safe to go.
https://p.dw.com/p/50WHz
Skip next section Rubio heads to Qatar with Israel strike on Doha as the backdrop
09/16/2025September 16, 2025
Rubio heads to Qatar with Israel strike on Doha as the backdrop
US Secretary of State will head to after meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel.
The visit will come as the region reels from last week’s Israeli strike on Doha, which targeted Hamas leaders.
Since the September 9 attack, the United States has sought to ease tensions between Israel and Qatar, two close US allies.
Netanyahu and Rubio stood shoulder-to-shoulder in Jerusalem on Monday and downplayed the furor after Trump administration officials said they were taken by surprise.
At a summit Monday related to the attack, Qatar’s ruling emir accused Israel of not caring about its hostages held in the strip and instead only working to “ensure Gaza is no longer livable.”
https://p.dw.com/p/50WHd
Skip next section Welcome to our coverage09/16/2025September 16, 2025
Welcome to our coverage
Welcome to our coverage
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting Qatar just a week after an Israeli strike on Doha.
On Monday, Rubio was in Israel, where he voiced his unwavering support for and the prime minister’s stated mission to eradicate Hamas.
We are also looking at the situation in the Gaza Strip as the Israeli military offensive in Gaza City continues to expand.
This blog will feature the latest news from the region, as well as analysis, multimedia content and on-the-ground reporting from DW correspondents.
https://p.dw.com/p/50WI1
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