Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that he would approve the military’s plan to take over Gaza City while simultaneously ordering the resumption of immediate negotiations to free all remaining hostages.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army continued heavy strikes on Gaza’s largest city ahead of the planned major offensive.
“I have come to approve the IDF’s (military’s) plans to take control of Gaza City and defeat Hamas,” Netanyahu said in a video statement. “At the same time, I have instructed to immediately begin negotiations for the release of all our hostages and the end of the war under conditions acceptable to Israel.”
Israel Mobilizes Reservists for Gaza Operation
The call for renewed negotiations follows the defense ministry’s approval to call up around 60,000 reservists to assist in taking over Gaza City, the final stronghold of Hamas.
Netanyahu added:
“These two matters – defeating Hamas and releasing all our hostages – go hand in hand.”
Mediators have been awaiting an official Israeli response after Hamas accepted the latest ceasefire proposal earlier this week. The proposal included the staggered release of hostages, but Israel insists all captives be released at once, according to Palestinian sources.
Hamas and International Reactions
Hamas condemned Israel’s Gaza takeover plan, calling it a blatant disregard for mediation efforts.
“Today’s announcement by the terrorist occupation army of the start of an operation against Gaza City and its nearly one million residents and displaced persons… demonstrates… a blatant disregard for the efforts made by the mediators,” the group said in a statement.
The Red Cross also criticized the move, calling Israel’s actions “intolerable.”
Military Operations Intensify
Israeli reservists are expected to be called up in early September, marking the second phase of Operation Gideon’s Chariots.
Airstrikes on the northern outskirts of Gaza City on Thursday caused massive explosions and plumes of smoke.
“We are advancing with the efforts toward operations in Gaza City,” military chief Eyal Zamir told troops. “We already have troops operating on the outskirts of the city, and more forces will join them later on.”
The Israeli military has informed medical personnel and air groups in northern Gaza to prepare for evacuation and transfer equipment south.
However, the Gaza Health Ministry rejected these instructions, warning they would undermine the already strained health system.
The UN humanitarian agency has also cautioned that Israel’s expansion of military operations could have a “horrific humanitarian impact” on Gaza’s exhausted population.
