Online Desk : Israel launched a heavy bombardment on Gaza City on Tuesday, according to eyewitnesses, shortly after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed full support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s renewed military campaign aimed at eradicating Hamas.

Rubio, during a visit to Jerusalem on Monday, assured Netanyahu that Israel could count on the “unwavering support” of the United States. Hours later, intense airstrikes were reported in Gaza City, with residents describing the destruction of homes and people trapped under rubble.

“We can hear their screams,” said Ahmed Ghazal, a 25-year-old resident of the city.

Despite recent criticism from US President Donald Trump over Israeli strikes in Qatar—a key US ally—Rubio dismissed Qatari-led ceasefire efforts and denounced Hamas as “barbaric animals.” He is expected to travel to Qatar on Tuesday to reassure officials in the emirate, which hosts the largest US air base in the region.

Trump told reporters that Netanyahu "won`t be hitting in Qatar" again, signaling tensions over Israel’s military actions in the region.

The Israeli military campaign has shifted focus to seizing Gaza City, where the UN recently warned that one million people face famine—an assessment Israel disputes. Gaza civil defence spokesperson Mahmud Bassal confirmed ongoing heavy airstrikes across the city and reported casualties in both Gaza City and Khan Yunis, where 49 people were killed in strikes on Monday.

Due to strict media restrictions and limited access to parts of Gaza, AFP noted it could not independently verify casualty reports.

Rubio’s visit comes ahead of a UN summit led by France, where several US allies are expected to recognize Palestinian statehood in response to what they view as Israeli intransigence. While Rubio dismissed such moves as “largely symbolic,” Netanyahu warned Israel may take “unilateral steps” in retaliation.

Hardline elements within Netanyahu’s coalition have called for annexation of the occupied West Bank, drawing protests from the UAE, which recognized Israel in 2020 under the Abraham Accords.

Netanyahu praised Rubio’s visit as a strong signal of continued US-Israel alignment, calling Trump “the greatest friend that Israel has ever had.”

At a joint press conference, Rubio stated that “the people of Gaza deserve a better future,” but added that such a future was only possible once Hamas was eliminated.

The ongoing conflict began with the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, which killed 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official sources. In response, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed over 64,900 people, also primarily civilians, based on figures from Gaza’s health ministry, which the UN considers credible.

Rubio also met with families of hostages taken during the October 2023 attack. Of the 251 hostages, 47 are still believed to be in Gaza, including 25 confirmed dead by the Israeli military.