Israel ramps up Gaza offensive as famine worsens

The Israeli military announced this morning that it is intensifying its offensive in northern Gaza.

(NBC)- The Israeli military announced this morning that it is intensifying its offensive in northern Gaza, escalating strikes around Gaza City as part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to take control of the territory.

In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces said they have “begun the preliminary operations and initial stages of the attack on Gaza City,” describing the campaign as operating with “great intensity on the outskirts” and vowing to “deepen our strikes.”

While there were no official evacuation orders, weeks of heavy bombardment have already forced many Palestinians into Gaza City. International monitors estimate about one million Palestinians remain in the north, an area that has been declared under a man-made famine by a global food monitoring group.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu said the IDF has recovered the bodies of two hostages inside Gaza. Roughly 50 hostages are still believed to be held there, with Israeli officials estimating at least 20 remain alive.