STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
Israeli airstrikes hit a hospital in the city of Khan Younis in Gaza this morning. The hospital morgue says the strike killed at least 14 people, and we believe the dead include journalists who worked for the Associated Press and Reuters - the two news agencies confirm that. Farther north, Israeli fighter jets and tanks are pounding the region around Gaza City, destroying buildings, and according to people there, trapping bodies under the rubble. So how is Israel's offensive on Gaza's largest city taking shape? NPR international affairs correspondent Jackie Northam is in Tel Aviv. Hi there, Jackie.
JACKIE NORTHAM, BYLINE: Morning Steve.
INSKEEP: What is Israel's goal?
NORTHAM: Well, Israel says Gaza City is one of the last remaining strongholds for Hamas, and it wants to clear out all the militants in that area. You know, right now, the military is targeting some of the neighborhoods with airstrikes and tanks, as you say, but, you know, that's before soldiers actually enter the city. And this will be urban combat, and the military wants the roughly one million Palestinians in Gaza City to get out ahead of the offensive.
INSKEEP: And go where?
NORTHAM: Well, that's the problem. I mean, there are a few places. Large parts of Gaza have been destroyed. Other areas certainly aren't safe. I mean, look at the strikes on the hospital in Khan Younis today. Many Palestinians have had to uproot several times throughout this conflict. And, you know, and just last week, a panel of international experts declared that the area was in the grip of famine. You know, there are divisions in the government about the Gaza City offensive as well. You know, excerpts from an Israeli Cabinet meeting over the weekend, which were leaked, show a heated argument about how fast the operation should unfold. And the military's chief of staff said it'll take time to move the Palestinians out, you know, bring in tents and build medical facilities and that. And a hard-line minister said, look, if the Palestinians don't want to go, don't give them water. Let them die of hunger or surrender.
INSKEEP: OK. So that's what an Israeli Cabinet minister says. What are the Israeli people saying as their government prepares for this offensive?
NORTHAM: Well, there's a lot of anger here and frustration. You know, hundreds of thousands of people, Israelis, have been taking to the street in opposition to this upcoming offensive and more broadly against the government's handling of the war in Gaza now. Many people, particularly the families of the Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza, are urging the government to accept a ceasefire deal. You know, it's believed there are 50 hostages still in Gaza. Twenty of them are believed to still be alive. And there's a fear that if this offensive goes ahead, then more hostages will be killed. You know, tomorrow has been declared a national day of solidarity by the families of the hostages and demonstrations are expected. And, you know, even the military chief of staff in those league comments told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, look, there's a deal on the table. We must take it.
INSKEEP: OK. When he talks about a deal on the table, that's a deal for a ceasefire? Where does that stand?
NORTHAM: Well, Hamas, largely under pressure from Egypt and Qatar, did accept the latest proposal last week, and it calls for the release of some hostages. That was something Netanyahu had agreed to earlier, but Netanyahu hasn't formally replied. And now it seems he's shifting the goalposts and is demanding a more comprehensive agreement involving the release of all the hostages. And that is something that Hamas is unlikely to sign on to. It wants at least to hold on to some of the hostages for leverage in any negotiations with Israel.
INSKEEP: Oh, interesting. Jackie, thanks so much. Really appreciate your insights.
NORTHAM: Thanks, Steve.
INSKEEP: NPR's Jackie Northam is in Tel Aviv. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.
