By WAFAA SHURAFA, SAM METZ and SALLY ABOU ALJOUD, Related Press
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli and U.S. officers have been to satisfy Wednesday in Washington to debate post-war Gaza, at the same time as Israel’s navy referred to as the evacuation of Gaza Metropolis “inevitable” forward of a brand new offensive and no indicators of a ceasefire have been in sight.
The assembly comes amid mounting outrage over this week’s double Israeli strike on a southern Gaza hospital that killed journalists, emergency responders and others. The toll from the assault on Nasser Hospital rose to 22 after two extra folks died Wednesday, Gaza well being officers mentioned.
The Israeli navy, which has mentioned it can examine, supplied no rapid clarification for putting twice and no proof for an assertion that six of the useless have been combatants.
As a rising refrain of worldwide leaders urge Israel to rethink its offensive and decide to talks, Pope Leo XIV referred to as for Israel to halt the “collective punishment” and compelled displacement of Palestinians in Gaza.
The solar units behind buildings destroyed throughout Israeli floor and air operations within the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. (AP Picture/Maya Levin)
Israel prepares Gaza Metropolis for an evacuation
Support teams warn that an expanded Israeli navy offensive might worsen the humanitarian disaster within the besieged territory, the place a lot of the over 2 million residents have been displaced, neighborhoods lie in ruins and a famine has been declared in Gaza Metropolis.
The Israeli navy on Wednesday advised residents of Gaza Metropolis to organize to depart.
“The evacuation of Gaza City is inevitable,” spokesperson Avichay Adraee wrote in Arabic on X. He mentioned Israeli forces have surveyed huge empty areas south of the town “to assist the evacuating residents as much as possible.” He mentioned the displaced would obtain house for tents, and infrastructure can be set as much as distribute assist and water.
Greater than 80% of Gaza is designated as an Israeli navy zone or topic to displacement orders, the U.N. humanitarian company mentioned in June.
Israel has pressed forward with plans to mobilize tens of 1000’s of reservists. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has mentioned the navy will launch its offensive whereas concurrently pursuing a ceasefire.
Hamas mentioned final week that it accepted a ceasefire plan from Arab mediators. Hamas has been designated as a terrorist group by the US, Canada and the European Union.
Qatar, which has hardly ever assigned blame by greater than a 12 months of mediation, mentioned Tuesday that Israel has but to formally reply and “does not want to reach an agreement.” Final week, an official from Qatar mentioned the proposal beneath dialogue was “almost identical” to an earlier draft that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff put forth and Israel accepted.
The deal mentioned to be beneath dialogue would come with a 60-day truce, the discharge of a number of the 50 remaining hostages held by Hamas in return for tons of of Palestinian prisoners, a surge of humanitarian assist into Gaza and a street map towards talks on an enduring ceasefire.
Many in Netanyahu’s coalition oppose such a phased deal. In the meantime, protests have swelled in Israel as hostages’ households and their supporters press for a ceasefire. The federal government argues {that a} widened offensive is the easiest way to convey them house and cripple Hamas’ capability to launch future assaults.
Witkoff says Trump will chair a separate assembly
In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was set to satisfy Wednesday with Israeli Overseas Minister Gideon Saar.
He didn’t provide particulars about that assembly, which didn’t seem on Trump’s public schedule for Wednesday.
Hospitals report strikes close to assist websites
Native hospitals reported not less than 10 deaths Wednesday, together with close to an aid-distribution website in central Gaza and at a displacement camp within the south.
An Israeli strike killed three folks, together with a baby and a girl, and wounded 21 others when it hit tents in Khan Younis in a single day, the Kuwait Specialised Area Hospital mentioned. Three Israeli strikes killed not less than six others in Khan Younis, Nasser Hospital mentioned.
Israel’s navy didn’t instantly reply to questions in regards to the strikes. Its offensive has killed 62,895 Palestinians in the course of the conflict, in response to Gaza’s Well being Ministry, which says round half have been ladies and kids. The company doesn’t distinguish between fighters and civilians in its depend.
The ministry mentioned Wednesday that 10 extra folks have died of malnutrition-related causes over the previous 24 hours, bringing the overall of victims of malnutrition-related causes to 313 folks in the course of the conflict, together with 119 kids.
The ministry is a part of the Hamas-run authorities and staffed by medical professionals. The U.N. and unbiased consultants think about it probably the most dependable supply on conflict casualties. Israel disputes its figures however has not supplied its personal.
Hamas-led terrorists kidnapped 251 folks and killed round 1,200 folks, principally civilians, within the Oct. 7, 2023, assault that triggered the conflict. A lot of the hostages have been launched in ceasefires or different offers. Of the 50 remaining in Gaza, Israel believes round 20 are alive.
Metz reported from Ramallah, West Financial institution, and Abou Aljoud from Beirut, Lebanon. Related Press writers Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel, and Nicole Winfield in Rome contributed to this report.
Initially Printed: August 27, 2025 at 8:10 AM EDT
