Israel launches assault on Gaza city, declares it a war zone

Israel has officially launched a large-scale assault on Gaza City, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict in the besieged Palestinian territory. 

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the beginning of what they called "initial operations" on the city's outskirts on Friday (August 29).

In a post on social media, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee wrote, "We are not waiting. We have begun the initial operation and the first phase of the assault on Gaza City. We are conducting operations with full force on its outskirts."

The Israeli military also declared Gaza City a "dangerous war zone", announcing that it would no longer observe any pauses in military activity for the delivery of humanitarian aid in the area.

Just a month ago, Israel had announced a "strategic pause" in its operations, halting attacks between morning and evening hours to allow humanitarian relief into Gaza. That pause, widely criticized for its limitations and selective implementation, has now been fully withdrawn.

In an official statement, the Israeli military said, "As of 10:00 AM on Friday, the local tactical ceasefire is no longer in effect in Gaza City. From now on, Gaza City will be considered an active and dangerous combat zone."

Despite Friday’s formal declaration, residents and officials say Israeli forces have already been carrying out strikes in and around Gaza City throughout August. Ground forces, including tanks, have been positioned on the city's outskirts for weeks in preparation for a full-scale incursion.

The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that heavy bombardment has forced thousands of residents to flee toward eastern parts of Gaza, seeking shelter from the intensifying air and ground attacks.

Israel is reportedly mobilizing 60,000 reserve troops as part of its broader military strategy to take control of Gaza’s largest urban center, which was once considered one of the most developed cities in Palestine before repeated Israeli offensives.

Human rights organizations and international observers continue to express alarm over the humanitarian toll of the conflict, particularly in densely populated urban areas like Gaza City, where infrastructure has been devastated and access to aid remains severely limited.

HKJ