Israel’s army has begun its invasion of Gaza City after calling up 60,000 reservists, forcing Palestinians to flee the region.
Israel Defence Forces spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said it now controls the outskirts of Gaza City, which was one of Hamas’ last strongholds.
After a clash with Hamas fighters south of Khan Younis on Wednesday, he said ‘We will deepen the blows to Hamas in Gaza City, a terror stronghold…
‘We will deepen the blows to the terror infrastructure above and below ground, and disconnect the reliance of the population on Hamas.’
He added that the army ‘is not waiting’ and that ‘preliminary operations are underway in the area’ with Hamas now ‘battered and bruised.’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told the army to ‘shorten the timelines for seizing the last terror strongholds and for the defeat of Hamas,’ according to a statement that did not give new dates.
Last week he said expanding the assault on Gaza was the ‘best way to end the war.’ He said Israel had ‘no choice’ but to ‘finish the job’ and ‘defeat’ Hamas in Gaza City and the coastal camps in al-Mawasi.
Pictures have shown how Palestinians have been forced to escape in an area where displaced residents lived.
Palestinians flee as Israel warplanes strike an area where displaced residents live
Israel strike on Gaza City on July 21. Israel’s army has begun its invasion of Gaza City after calling up 60,000 reservists, forcing Palestinians to flee the region
He compared entering Gaza City to last year’s Rafah operation, when more than a million people were evacuated from the border town.
The army has called up 60,000 reservists as the war continues. Plans suggest reservists would report in September, bringing the total active force to about 120,000.
The military has already launched initial operations in the Jabalia and Zeitoun districts around Gaza City.
The Israeli statements signalled Israel was pressing ahead with its plan to seize Gaza’s biggest urban centre despite international criticism of an operation likely to force the displacement of many more Palestinians.
Defrin said troops were already operating on the outskirts of Gaza City, and Hamas was now a ‘battered and bruised’ guerrilla force. ‘We will deepen the attack on Hamas in Gaza City, a stronghold of governmental and military terror for the terrorist organization,’ the spokesman said.
Israel’s military called up tens of thousands of reservists on Wednesday in preparation for the expected assault on Gaza City, as the Israeli government considered a new truce proposal.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged for a ceasefire in Gaza, warning the new operation could bring a ‘catastrophic’ humanitarian toll.
Speaking in Japan, he said: ‘It is vital to reach immediately a ceasefire in Gaza… necessary to avoid the death and destruction that a military operation against Gaza City would inevitably cause.’
Palestinians gather at the site of a strike last month. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told the army to ‘shorten the timelines for seizing the last terror strongholds and for the defeat of Hamas,’ according to a statement that did not give new dates
World leaders condemned Israel’s decision to move into Gaza City.
They warned that the move risks a humanitarian disaster and undermines the hopes for peace.
Israel’s expansion of settlements in the West Bank, including approval of a large new project in the E1 area near Jerusalem, heightened international criticism, with many saying it destroyed any chance for a two-state solution.
