The Israeli military has announced that starting Friday 10
a.m. local time, the "local tactical pause" in military operations
will no longer apply to Gaza City, describing it as a "dangerous combat
zone." This signals Israel's intent to intensify its military campaign to
capture Gaza City amid a devastating humanitarian crisis worsened by starvation
and widespread destruction.
Israeli Military Ends Humanitarian Pause in Gaza City
As reported by Patrick Kingsley of The New York Times, on
Friday, the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) formally ended their policy of pausing
daytime military operations in Gaza City, a measure that was originally
intended to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. The IDF announced that
from 10 a.m. Friday, the local tactical pause in operations would no longer be
in effect for Gaza City, which they have labelled a “hazardous combat zone.”
This move clearly indicates preparations for a comprehensive invasion of the
city.
The military had initially implemented these pauses in late
July between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. across various parts of Gaza amid mounting
international concern over the severe humanitarian crisis. Humanitarian
organizations, including an international panel of food experts, warned of
famine conditions in Gaza City and its surrounding areas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office disclosed
plans to intensify the ongoing military campaign, with a focus on capturing
Gaza City. Though a formal evacuation order has not yet been issued, actions
suggest Israeli forces expect the city's residents to relocate southwards.
Israeli Military Declares Gaza City a Dangerous Combat Zone
According to Samuel Laurent of Le Monde, the IDF declared
Gaza City a “dangerous combat zone,” ending the local tactical pause
specifically for this area. The military statement was issued as tens of
thousands of Palestinian residents fled south. Gaza’s civil defence reported
dozens of casualties in fresh strikes.
While no immediate evacuation order has been mandated, the
IDF’s Arabic spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, declared earlier that city-wide evacuation
is “inevitable.” Tens of thousands of residents, including many displaced
persons, are reportedly moving southwards out of fear of escalating attacks.
The United Nations estimates nearly one million people
currently reside in the Gaza governorate, including Gaza City. The military
confirmed its plan to seize the city and authorized the call-up of
approximately 60,000 reservists to support the campaign.
Impact on Humanitarian Aid and Civilian Infrastructure
As reported by CBC News, Israel's suspension of the daytime
humanitarian pauses directly affects aid deliveries to Gaza City. The military
has not clarified if residents or aid agencies were notified about the
resumption of daytime hostilities, deepening fears for civilian safety.
Gaza City is not only a Hamas stronghold but also home to
critical infrastructure like hospitals. The United Nations has warned that if
Israel proceeds with its planned invasion, Gaza could lose up to half of its
hospital bed capacity, devastating health services for the entire territory.
This military escalation occurs in the context of an ongoing
and severe humanitarian crisis, with nearly 63,000 fatalities reported by
Gaza’s Health Ministry since the conflict began, mostly civilians. The
Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a global food security
authority, recently declared famine conditions in Gaza City after months of warnings
exacerbated by the blockade and ongoing hostilities.
Intensification of Military Operations Around Gaza City
Reuters correspondent Rami Alim reported that Israel’s
military escalated assault operations around Gaza City alongside ending the
pauses, indicating a continued push to gain full control over Gaza City as part
of its broader campaign to dismantle Hamas after nearly two years of conflict.
Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee explained that
the army is conducting operations with increased intensity on the city’s
outskirts and plans to deepen strikes as the offensive continues. The
military’s decision follows months of international condemnation over the
blockade and the starvation crisis facing the 2.4 million people in Gaza.
Israel’s Hostage Situation and Political Context
In related developments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu announced the recovery of bodies of two hostages previously held by
Hamas, highlighting one as Ilan Weiss from Kibbutz Be'eri, killed during the 7
October 2023 Hamas incursion that sparked the current war.
Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s military campaign will persist
until all hostages are returned and Hamas is disarmed. The hostilities, which
began with a Hamas-led attack killing 1,200 civilians in southern Israel and
abducting 251 hostages, have since escalated with heavy casualties and
displacement across Gaza.
Civilian Impact and International Response
Al Jazeera’s live updates revealed that the Israeli
military’s suspension of tactical pauses resulted in strikes killing at least
21 Palestinians early Friday, including in al-Mawasi—a southern Gaza area where
displaced persons have taken refuge.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned
the Israeli military escalation, stating it marks “a new and perilous stage” in
the conflict, warning of the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding due to the
ongoing offensive.
Israeli Public Sentiment and Calls for Ceasefire
Sky News correspondent Adam Parsons highlighted protests in
Israel demanding a ceasefire and the return of hostages. Families of hostages,
devastated by the ongoing conflict and losses, are calling on Netanyahu to
prioritise negotiations over military action.
Nadav, a protester interviewed by Parsons, described living
in limbo with his father held captive by Hamas and expressed a desperate hope
for an end to the war, even if that entails negotiating with Hamas—an opponent
Israel has officially vowed to dismantle.
The Israeli military's decision to exclude Gaza City from
the local tactical pauses marks a critical escalation in the nearly two-year
conflict, signalling preparations for an intensified military offensive. This
shift starkly contrasts with earlier attempts to facilitate humanitarian aid
and reflects the severe impact of the siege on Gaza’s population,
infrastructure, and health services. While Israel’s strategic objective is the
dismantling of Hamas and the return of hostages, the humanitarian consequences—including
famine, mass displacement, and civilian casualties—draw widespread
international concern and calls for a ceasefire.