Israel hammered Gaza City and its outskirts overnight, residents said Thursday, as the military announced it had taken initial steps in its push to capture Hamas's last major stronghold. Gaza City residents described relentless bombardments overnight.

Qatar has strongly condemned the decision by the Israeli occupation authorities to seize full control of the Gaza Strip, describing it as a grave and alarming escalation that

Israel's decision to expand its military offensive to seize control of Gaza City has sparked widespread international alarm, with Qatar saying the plans undermine efforts to secure a ceasefire. Qatar's Foreign Ministry said in a statement late on Friday that Israel's decision to "fully occupy the Gaza Strip" was a "dangerous escalation that threatens to exacerbate the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the territory,

"Israel's policy is consistent and has not changed. Israel demands the release of all 50 hostages in accordance with the principles established by the cabinet for ending the war. We are in the final decisive stage of Hamas and will not leave any hostage behind," an Israeli political source said.

Gaza: Director General of the Ministry of Health in Gaza Dr. Muneer Alboursh warned of the magnitude of the health and humanitarian catastrophe

Israel has begun the "first stages of the attack on Gaza City" on Wednesday as it plans to call up to 50,000 to 60,000 reservists in order to occupy the city, according to Israel Defense Forces spokesman Eddie Defrin and an Israeli military official.