Gaza Herald – Israel escalated its assaults on multiple areas of the Gaza Strip on Friday morning, unleashing heavy airstrikes, artillery fire, and machine-gun bursts along active frontlines, despite U.S. statements suggesting the approach of a new phase in the ceasefire framework.
In eastern Khan Younis, Israeli tanks and artillery pounded neighborhoods inside the so-called yellow line, while attack helicopters opened sustained fire over residential districts. Warplanes also struck al-Tuffah area of eastern Gaza City, along with parts of Rafah and the eastern edges of Al-Maghazi refugee camp. Offshore gunboats fired repeatedly toward Khan Younis’s coastline as Israel expanded a wide belt of fire around Rafah, accompanied by the demolition of civilian homes.
Official data confirms that Israel has now carried out more than 500 violations of the ceasefire agreement that took effect on October 10, each breach reinforcing what Gaza authorities describe as an ongoing genocidal campaign that never paused, even as the world focused on diplomatic talks.
In Washington, Axios reported that U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to announce the transition to “Phase Two” of the Gaza peace plan before Christmas, with a high-level meeting expected between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before month’s end.
According to U.S. officials, the Trump-led Peace Council would assume oversight of Gaza’s administrative structure during the next phase, with a formal announcement anticipated within weeks.
Diplomatic sources say Washington and mediators are scrambling to assemble all elements required to implement Phase Two, even as Israel continues daily bombardments across the Strip, raising doubts about any meaningful change on the ground.
