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CAIRO/JERUSALEM, Sept 14 – Gaza City witnessed heavy bombardment on Sunday as Israeli forces demolished around 30 residential buildings, forcing thousands of Palestinians to flee, according to local officials. The escalation came as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in the region to discuss the conflict’s future. Israel intensifies Gaza City strikes Israel has announced plans to take control of Gaza City, where nearly one million Palestinians have been sheltering, as part of its campaign to dismantle Hamas. Military operations have increased in intensity, targeting what Israel describes as the group’s last stronghold. Meanwhile, an airstrike in Doha last week hit Hamas’ political leadership, sparking international criticism. In response, Qatar is set to host an emergency Arab-Islamic summit on Monday. Rubio said Washington’s focus remains on securing the release of the remaining 48 hostages, of whom 20 are believed to be alive, while also addressing Gaza’s reconstruction. Read more: Bilateral Meetings and Diplomacy: SCO SUMMIT 2025 Read More: India-China Relations: Strengthening Ties Through Mutual Trust and Respect Rubio is expected to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit, including a stop at Jerusalem’s Western Wall. U.S. officials called the recent strike in Doha a unilateral move that strained ties with Washington’s regional allies. On Friday, Rubio and President Donald Trump both met with Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani. Concerns also grew over the Abraham Accords after Netanyahu advanced settlement expansion plans in the West Bank, a move the UAE warned could damage the U.S.-brokered agreement. Aid organizations caution that an Israeli takeover of Gaza City could be disastrous for civilians already battling food shortages and malnutrition. The Gaza health ministry reported two more deaths from starvation in the past 24 hours, bringing the toll to at least 422, including 145 children. Although Israel has permitted more aid since late July, the U.N. stressed that the assistance remains insufficient. Despite evacuation calls, many residents remain in Gaza City, citing lack of safe shelter in the south and uncertainty over the region’s future. Israeli forces continue to operate in multiple suburbs, while airstrikes have destroyed more than 1,600 buildings and 13,000 tents since August, Hamas officials claim. According to local authorities, Israel’s nearly two-year campaign has left over 64,000 people dead in Gaza, following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, assault on Israel that killed 1,200 people and led to 251 hostages being taken.