Israel Escalates Military Build-Up Ahead of Gaza City Offensive
Description:
Israel intensifies its military build-up with tens of thousands of reservists called up for a Gaza City offensive. UN warns of famine, displacement, and humanitarian catastrophe.
Israel’s Expanding Military Mobilisation
Israel is preparing for one of the largest offensives in the Gaza war as its military strengthens its presence around Gaza City, home to nearly one million people. Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that 60,000 reservists are being called up, with around 40,000 already responding in the first wave of mobilisation.
Speaking at an event in Jerusalem, Katz emphasised:
“Tens of thousands of reservists have left their homes, families and jobs to once again answer the national call — the return of all hostages and the neutralisation of Hamas.”
The move signals Israel’s determination to seize Gaza’s largest urban area despite mounting international pressure to halt the campaign, now approaching its second year.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Gaza
While Israel prepares its assault, Palestinians inside Gaza City face severe shortages of food, water, and medical aid. The United Nations estimates that almost a million people remain trapped in the city and its surroundings, where famine conditions have already been declared.
Residents report feeling hopeless and cornered:
- Amal Abdel-Aal, a 60-year-old displaced resident, told AFP: “There is no place for us to go, and no means to get there. We are exhausted physically and mentally from displacement and from the war. We have come to wish for death.”
- Khalil al-Madhoun, 37, said he tried relocating to southern Gaza twice but found no available shelter. “The centre and the south are completely overcrowded,” he explained.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned that a mass evacuation of Gaza City would be impossible to conduct safely or with dignity.
Intensified Bombardments and Civilian Casualties
Israeli forces have stepped up aerial and artillery strikes in recent days, targeting residential areas across Gaza City.
- Gaza’s civil defence agency reported at least 56 deaths on Tuesday, including 10 people killed when a residential building in Tel al-Hawa was struck.
- AFP footage showed residents carrying the body of a young girl from the rubble.
- Survivors described being “woken by bombing and destruction” as entire neighbourhoods collapsed.
The Israeli military, when contacted by AFP, requested precise coordinates before commenting on civilian casualty reports.
UN and International Response
Growing international criticism is putting Israel under pressure. Several Western nations — Belgium, Australia, Canada, and France — have announced they will formally recognise the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly this month.
The UN Human Rights Office recently described conditions in the so-called humanitarian zone of Al-Mawasi as “untenable,” with families lacking food, tents, water, and electricity.
Context of the Conflict
The ongoing conflict was triggered by Hamas’s October 2023 attack, in which 1,219 Israelis were killed and 251 hostages taken. According to the Israeli military, 47 hostages remain in Gaza, with at least 25 confirmed dead.
Israel’s retaliatory campaign has devastated the territory:
- 63,633 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, according to the Gaza health ministry figures cited by the United Nations.
- The majority of casualties are civilians, with children and women making up a significant proportion.
- More than two million people have been displaced at least once during the conflict.
Key Talking Points
- Israel approves large-scale mobilisation of 60,000 reservists.
- Gaza City, home to one million residents, faces famine and humanitarian collapse.
- ICRC warns evacuation of Gaza City cannot be done safely.
- Western nations, including Belgium, France, Canada, and Australia, to recognise Palestine.
- Civilian toll continues to rise with reports of dozens killed daily.
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- Related news analysis on your site about Middle East conflicts
- Coverage of UN resolutions on Palestine
Conclusion
The coming days could mark a turning point in the Gaza war, as Israel prepares to launch its most ambitious and destructive offensive yet. While the government frames the operation as necessary to eliminate Hamas and secure the release of hostages, humanitarian organisations warn of a disaster of unprecedented scale for civilians trapped in Gaza City.
The conflict, now in its second year, has already left tens of thousands dead and millions displaced, with international voices calling louder than ever for a ceasefire and diplomatic solution.
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