ISLAMABAD: Israeli airstrikes and military operations escalated overnight across Gaza and the West Bank as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel, amid a U.N. vote supporting a two-state solution—aimed at pursuing peace in the long-standing conflict.

Rubio reportedly has gone with a clear focus on securing the release of hostages and preventing Hamas from taking power in the region.

UNGA resolution supports two-state solution

The UN General Assembly passed a resolution Friday with overwhelming support for the two-state solution. The resolution calls for an immediate ceasefire, Hamas disarmament, and normalization of relations between Israel and Arab states.

Israel and the U.S. voted against it, calling it “one-sided.”

Against this backdrop, diplomatic efforts continue, with U.S. President Donald Trump holding talks with Qatar’s prime minister following Israeli airstrikes on Hamas officials attending ceasefire negotiations in Doha.

The flurry of activities comes as the relentless air raids and heavy ground operations continue in Gaza City, where Israeli forces have carried out over 500 strikes this week alone. The occupying troops claim they are targeting Hamas ‘strongholds’, including weapons caches, tunnels, and sniper positions.

Much of Gaza has been destroyed, with Israeli forces fully blockading the area. Despite this, many Palestinian families have decided to stay, with one resident describing a grim scene to Reuters: relentless bombings trapping Gazans between violence and a lack of safe places.

The humanitarian toll is mounting, with more than 64,000 people having perished in Gaza since Israel laid siege to the enclave. Hundreds have died of starvation and malnutrition this year alone.

Medical infrastructure has collapsed due to ongoing shelling, while aid deliveries face challenges amid persistent restrictions. Israel has announced plans to increase humanitarian crossing capacity, but it is becoming harder to deliver essential food, water, and medicine.

Increase in violence, expansion plans

Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem are seeing an increase in violence. Israeli forces killed two 14-year-old Palestinian boys during raids in Jenin, followed by the detention of hundreds of residents in sweeping operations, according to the AP.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also proposed plans to expand settlements in the controversial "E1" area near Jerusalem, a plan critics warn will divide the West Bank and impede the formation of a viable Palestinian state.

The severity and scale of these actions have drawn widespread international condemnation, but efforts to curb the violence remain limited.

As Israeli military operations continue and diplomatic efforts go on, it is the Palestinians on the ground who are paying a heavy price.

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Israel ramps up attacks in Gaza and West Bank as US State Secretary visits