Israel launches the first stages of its offensive on Gaza City and rules out any humanitarian pause
The Israeli army announced on Friday the beginning of preparatory operations and the initial stages of its assault on Gaza, stating that it is currently deploying significant military force on the outskirts of the city.
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It further declared that as of Friday, no suspension of military activities for humanitarian purposes, previously announced in certain areas, will apply to Gaza City, which has now been designated a “dangerous combat zone,” according to the statement released.
The Israeli security cabinet approved a plan to seize control of Gaza City, a move that expands the scope of military operations in the Palestinian enclave. This decision has triggered sharp criticism both domestically and internationally, as the war has dragged on for nearly two years.
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Last month, Israel had announced a daily ten-hour suspension of military operations in parts of the Gaza Strip, while also opening new humanitarian corridors. At the same time, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates carried out airdrop missions to deliver supplies to the territory.
Earlier today, the Israeli army declared Gaza City a “dangerous combat zone” as it prepares to seize control of the largest urban center in the enclave, nearly two years after the war between Israel and Hamas began.
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In a statement posted on the platform X by the Israeli army’s Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, it was announced that “starting today (Friday) at 10:00 a.m. (07:00 GMT), the local and temporary tactical truce of military activities will no longer apply to Gaza City, which will be considered a dangerous combat zone.” This referred to the tactical pauses implemented in certain areas each day to facilitate the distribution of humanitarian aid.
At the end of July, the Israeli army had declared a daily “local tactical suspension” of military activities in Gaza City and other areas of the besieged and devastated enclave, in order to allow safe passage for United Nations convoys and humanitarian organizations.
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Despite mounting domestic and international pressure on Israel to end the war, as well as increasing criticism over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the government has dismissed these calls. On Thursday, the army stated that its forces “continue their operations” across the Gaza Strip.
On Wednesday, the military further confirmed that the evacuation of Gaza City’s residents was “inevitable,” after the Israeli government had approved, earlier in August, a plan to seize control of the city.
