The Israeli military has sealed the entrance to the town of Turmus Ayya, north of Ramallah, and has stormed the town of Deir Dibwan to the east, according to reports from the Palestinian news agency Wafa. Local sources stated that the army closed iron gates at the main entrance to Turmus Ayya, obstructing the movement of thousands of citizens in villages and towns north and northeast of Ramallah. Meanwhile, Israeli forces raided Deir Dibwan, though no incursions or arrests were initially reported.
In a separate operation, Israeli forces stormed several areas of the Bethlehem governorate in the occupied West Bank. Citing security sources, Wafa reported that soldiers raided the areas of al-Ubeidiya, Harmala, Rafidia, and Zaatara to the east. Forces broke into several homes in the Rakhma area and searched a factory in an industrial zone, vandalizing its contents.
As the Israeli military operation in Gaza City continues, Palestinian sources in Gaza told the Israeli public broadcaster Kan that Hamas has moved hostages above ground into houses and tents to deter army operations in certain areas. This follows a statement by the mother of hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal, who said she was informed her son is being held above ground in Gaza City.
Wafa also reports that the Israeli army conducted daytime raids in several West Bank towns this morning, with military vehicles spotted in Tubas, Nablus, Birzeit, and al-Bireh.
Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reports that 25 people have been killed in the latest Israeli raids on Gaza, 16 of them in Gaza City alone. Two homes were attacked, and seven people, including six-year-old twins, were killed in an attack on a shelter tent. Israeli forces have intensified attacks on Gaza City as the army advances its plan for the forced displacement of Palestinians and the conquest of the territory.
In diplomatic developments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concluded an expanded meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his staff. The meeting was attended by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, and Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leite.
Following the meeting, Secretary Rubio stated that Hamas must be “eliminated” and hostages released “immediately,” emphasizing President Trump’s commitment to these goals. Rubio pledged Washington’s “unwavering support” for Israel’s objectives in Gaza, stating that “the people of Gaza deserve a better future, but that better future cannot begin until Hamas is eliminated.” He criticized initiatives by France, the UK, and others to recognize a Palestinian state, calling them “largely symbolic” and claiming they only embolden Hamas. Rubio is scheduled to leave Israel for Qatar on Tuesday.
In a controversial statement, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, announced plans to build a luxury neighborhood for Israeli police officers in Gaza City after the war. “The settlement brings security, and the time has come for a Jewish settlement in Gaza,” Ben Gvir said during a police ceremony for the Jewish New Year.