Israel’s IDF said on Wednesday stated that it has taken the first steps to take over Gaza City. Israel’s military spokesman, Brigadier General Effie Defrin, said, “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.”
He added, “We will deepen the attack on Hamas in Gaza City, a stronghold of governmental and military terror for the terrorist organization.”
Defrin also said, “While operating in Gaza, we are also continuing offensive and defensive activities on the Lebanese border, in Syria and in Judea and Samaria. We continue to monitor developments in Iran.”
Meanwhile, country military stated that Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant made a big move and approved plans for a new phase of operations and 60,000 reservists would be called up.
The reserve soldiers will reportedly not report for duty until September.
Notably, Israel has been criticised by many over its plan to seize Gaza’s biggest urban centre. The operation could reportedly displace a number of Palestinians.
Israel holds about 75% of the Gaza strip but Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has clearly stated that the county is not looking to occupy the region. The aim is to “free it from Hamas.”
The Gaza Strip was reportedly home to about 2.3 million Palestinians before the war broke out.
According to Gaza health officials, More than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s air and ground war.
All of this began on October 7, 2023, as a retaliation for the Hamas cross-border terror attack in Israel.
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Shivam Verma is a journalist with over three years of experience in digital newsrooms. He currently works at NewsX, having previously worked for Firstpost and DNA India. A postgraduate diploma holder in Integrated Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, Shivam focuses on international affairs, diplomacy, defence, and politics. Beyond the newsroom, he is passionate about football—both playing and watching—and enjoys travelling to explore new places and cuisines.
