IDF launches new offensive to take Gaza City
The new operation aims to take control of Gaza City, the largest in the Strip, which has been described as 'a terror stronghold' by an IDF spokesperson
The IDF has begun a new offensive intended to capture the entirety of Gaza city, with tens of thousands of IDF reservists due to receive call-ups in the coming weeks.
On Tuesday, Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz met senior IDF officers and Shin Bet representatives to approve the military plan to capture the Strip’s largest residential area. In a previous military operation, “Gideon’s Chariots”, which ended earlier this month, the IDF took direct control of 75% of Gaza, but not Gaza City itself. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the latest offensive as being aimed at “the last terror strongholds” in Gaza.
Yesterday, in a public statement, the IDF confirmed that as part of the “next stage” of that operation, “60,000 reserve orders were issued this morning, and 20,000 reservists had their service extended. The IDF values its reservists and their vital role in Israel’s security.”
The Israeli military confirmed that efforts were underway to provide food and shelter to the many hundreds of thousands of Palestinians living in Gaza City who are expected to relocate to the south of the strip during the offensive. A security official told Times of Israel that “talks have begun with international organizations to recruit them to establish additional field hospitals in the south”, with more food aid distribution sites also set to be opened.
IDF spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin told newspapers that Israeli troops had already taken control of the outskirts of Gaza City, stating: “We will deepen the blows to Hamas in Gaza City, a terror stronghold… We will deepen the blows to the terror infrastructure above and below ground, and disconnect the reliance of the population on Hamas.”
The move followed an attempt by remaining Hamas forces in the South Gaza city of Khan Younis to carry out an ambush on IDF troops, with the apparent aim of seizing further hostages. The attack, which was carried out by approximately 20 Hamas fighters armed with machine guns and anti-tank weaponry, was repelled by the IDF; a source within Israel’s southern command told the Jerusalem Post that further attempts to capture Israeli soldiers are expected in the coming period.
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