Israel’s army launches offensive on Gaza City, outskirts already under control
Illustrative photo: Soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (Getty Images)
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have launched an offensive on Gaza City in the Gaza Strip, with the outskirts already under Israeli military control, The Jerusalem Post reports.
IDF spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin confirmed the start of the offensive. He said additional troops would be deployed to secure the city, with 60,000 reservist call-up notices to be sent this week and another 20,000 by the end of August.
Defrin also confirmed that the IDF is working to evacuate civilians from Gaza and provide them with humanitarian and medical aid.
According to him, over 15 Hamas fighters attempted to attack an IDF post in Khan Yunis this week, leaving three Israeli soldiers wounded, one of them in critical condition.
On August 20, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz approved the plan to capture Gaza City. The operation was named Gideon’s Chariot II. According to the IDF, five divisions, numbering tens of thousands of soldiers, will take part in the planned military offensive against Hamas in Gaza City.
Israel plans to take control of Gaza
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that the IDF intends to take full control of Gaza. However, according to him, Israel does not plan to occupy the territory, but rather to liberate it from Hamas. In August, Israel’s Security Cabinet approved Netanyahu’s plan for complete control of the Gaza Strip.
Read more about why Israel plans to fully seize the Gaza Strip in the material by RBC-Ukraine.
