Israel's military announced on Wednesday it has launched the first phase of its operation to seize Gaza City, deploying troops around the city's outskirts and calling up tens of thousands of reservists. The move comes as the government weighs a new ceasefire proposal after nearly two years of conflict.
Brigadier General Effie Defrin, the IDF spokesperson, told reporters, "We have begun the preliminary operations and the first stages of the attack on Gaza City, and already now IDF forces are holding the outskirts of Gaza City."
Though reserve soldiers are scheduled to report for duty in September, offering a window for mediators, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the timeline for overcoming Hamas strongholds has been accelerated. Critics warn the offensive could displace thousands more civilians in the densely populated urban center.
Israel's security cabinet, chaired by Netanyahu, approved plans earlier this month to expand the campaign in Gaza, where Israeli forces already control about 75 percent of the Strip. Hamas denies the characterization of its fighters as battered; in a Telegram statement, the group accused the Israeli leader of obstructing a ceasefire and continuing "a brutal war against innocent civilians in Gaza City."
Mediators have proposed a 60-day truce that includes a phased release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian detainees in Israel. Israel insists all 50 remaining hostages be freed at once, while negotiators note that up to 20 hostages may still be alive.
On Wednesday, clashes near Khan Younis, south of Gaza City, escalated into close-quarters fighting. Israeli troops reported gunfire and anti-tank missile attacks by more than 15 militants emerging from tunnel shafts, injuring three soldiers. In turn, Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades confirmed a raid, including a suicide attack that caused Israeli casualties.
As regional and global calls for restraint grow, the standoff highlights a high-stakes gamble: Can a ceasefire be brokered in time to avert a major urban offensive? For the young global citizens, business and tech enthusiasts, and travelers tracking shifts in one of the world's most volatile regions, the next few weeks could define the trajectory of peace and human impact in Gaza City.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
