Israel Prepares Full-Scale Assault on Gaza City

On September 2, the Israeli Prime Minister announced that the Israeli military is preparing for an assault on Gaza City. The Prime Minister highlighted that Israel has targeted not only the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) but also the Lebanese Hezbollah, the Syrian regime, and other militant groups, stating that these forces, which have long posed a threat to Israel, have been weakened.

This announcement comes as Israel is in a critical phase of its conflict with Hamas. The Prime Minister emphasized the need to end the conflict in Gaza completely. The Israeli military has begun a large-scale mobilization of reserve personnel, indicating a significant escalation in its military operations. The first phase of this mobilization involves the recruitment of reserve soldiers, who are set to report to designated locations. These reserve forces will be deployed across various locations within Israel to replace active-duty troops, allowing for a more extensive ground operation in Gaza City.

The Israeli military has intensified its operations around Gaza City, conducting joint air and ground strikes on the outskirts of the city. Multiple buildings have been destroyed, and numerous families have been forced to flee their homes. The Israeli security cabinet held an emergency meeting to discuss the next phase of the military plan to seize Gaza City, which the Prime Minister has referred to as "Hamas's last stronghold."

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is worsening, with the death toll exceeding 63,000 since the escalation of the conflict in October 2023. The United Nations has reported that over 500,000 people in Gaza City and surrounding areas are facing famine, with the situation expected to deteriorate further in the coming weeks. Israel's recent indications of potentially reducing aid supplies to Gaza City have exacerbated the crisis.

The conflict, which began with Hamas's attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, has resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 people. The Israeli military's "eradicate Hamas" operation and the humanitarian disaster in Gaza have created a vicious cycle, raising international concerns about the escalating situation. The Israeli military has warned that a full-scale assault on Gaza City could endanger the hostages still held by Hamas. The Prime Minister has stated that Israel is prepared to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of its citizens and to bring an end to the conflict.