Palestinian residents have reported heavy strikes across Gaza City and Israel's defense minister has said "Gaza is burning." This comes as Israel has been planning a new offensive targeting the city. The comments by Defense Minister Israel Katz came as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio prepared to travel to Qatar, where he planned to meet with officials there still incensed over Israel’s strike last week that killed five Hamas members and a local security official. Rubio, speaking while leaving Israel for Qatar, suggested the offensive in Gaza City had begun. Overnight strikes in the city have killed at least 12 Palestinians and wounded dozens, according to the hospital that received the bodies.
