JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel is preparing to launch an expanded military operation in Gaza, perhaps even if negotiators are scrambling to end the 22-month battle with Israel and Hamas in a ceasefire.
Israeli forces said Wednesday that the Defense Minister would approve plans to launch a new phase of business in Gaza’s most densely populated areas, calling 60,000 reserves and extending the services of the additional 20,000 reserves currently serving.
Human rights groups come when most residents are evacuated, vast neighbourhoods are in abandoned, and communities warn that the humanitarian crisis could worsen in Gaza, a community. Faced with the threat of hunger.
Speaking on condition of anonymity in line with military regulations, military officials said the military is operating in parts of Gaza, where Israeli forces are still in operation, and believe Hamas is still active.
Officials said Israeli forces are already operating in Gaza’s Zeitoun and Jabaliya districts, preparing the basis for the expanded operation.
Gaza city is Hamas’ main military and governing hub, and Israeli forces will target Hamas’ vast underground tunnel networks, officials added.
Israel has targeted and killed many of Hamas’ senior leaders, but some extremist groups have actively reorganised and implemented attacks, including launching rockets into Israel.
Gaza City may start operating within a few days
It remains unknown when the operation will begin, but it may take several days. Officials said 50,000 reserves will be called next month. This was one of the biggest mobilizations in months.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently stated that the purpose of the war is to ensure the release of the remaining hostages and prevent Hamas and other extremists from threatening Israel again.
The planned attack, first announced earlier this month, has heightened international condemnation against Israel and promoted the fear of another popular displacement among the Palestinians.
Netanyahu said on August 9 that it will cover Gaza city and parts of the central camp. Hundreds of thousands of displaced people are evacuated to the cities, holding some of the last wreckage of critical infrastructure.
The AP journalists saw a small group heading south from the city this week, but it remains unknown how many people will voluntarily flee. Some say they are waiting to see how the event unfolds before moving back, and many have argued that it is not safe from airstrikes.
Some exhausted prep workers question the goals of war
The call-up would look like this: Growing Campaign The exhausted reserves accused the government of perpetuating the war for political reasons and not bringing the remaining hostages home.
With the hostage family Former Army and Intelligence Chief He has also expressed his opposition to the expansion operation in Gaza City. Most hostage families want an immediate ceasefire and are worried that the widespread assault could put the 50 hostages at home in Gaza. Israel believes that 20 are still alive.
The former chief is skeptical and the goal of destroying Hamas completely is achievable. Former Singh Bet Head Yoram Cohen called it “fantasy” and said, “If you imagine you can reach every terrorist and every pit and every weapon, you can bring hostages home in parallel – I think that’s impossible.”
Hamas-led extremists launched a war that attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and eliciting 251. Most of the hostages were released in ceasefires or other transactions. Hamas says it will only release the rest in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and Israel’s withdrawal.
Mediation is underway in Cairo. As concerns grow about the humanitarian crisis
Mediators and Hamas said this week that Hamas leaders agreed to suspend the conditions for escape, despite similar announcements made in the past that had not led to a ceasefire.
An Israeli official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to speak to the media said Israel is in constant contact with the mediator to ensure the release of hostages.
Netanyahu repeatedly said he opposed a transaction that would not include “completing Hamas’ defeat.”
More than 62,000 people were killed during Israel’s 22-month attack. Ministry of Health in Gaza I said on Monday. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and is staffed by medical professionals. The ministry has not said how many deaths are civilians or combatants, but it says it accounts for about half of the women and children.
In addition to that toll, 154 adults died of malnutrition-related causes from late June when the province began counting such deaths, and 112 children died of malnutrition-related causes since the start of the war.
