DaysofPal – ÷sraeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz and Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir have approved detailed plans to occupy Gaza City, following a recent decision by Israel’s Security Cabinet. The move signals an escalation in Israel’s nearly two-year genocide in the Gaza Strip, even as ceasefire efforts continue.
Israeli media reported that the occupation army will advance the mobilization of 60,000 reserve soldiers and extend the service of 20,000 others for an additional 40 days.
The decision was made during high-level discussions at the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv, attended by senior officials from the Southern Command, the General Staff, the Military Intelligence Directorate, the Operations Directorate, and representatives of the Shin Bet security service.
On Tuesday, Zamir outlined the stages of the plan to occupy Gaza City, which he said would begin with reinforcing Israeli forces in the northern Strip. The strategy is part of a broader program approved on August 8 by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces charges before the International Criminal Court.
According to the plan, Israel will gradually reoccupy the entire Gaza Strip, beginning with Gaza City. The first stage envisions the displacement of approximately one million Palestinians to the south, the encirclement of Gaza City, and ground incursions into densely populated residential areas.
On August 11, as part of the plan’s implementation, Israeli forces launched a large-scale assault on the Zeitoun neighborhood southeast of Gaza City. That offensive included the destruction of homes with booby-trapped robots, heavy artillery fire, indiscriminate shooting, and the forced displacement of residents.
The preparations to occupy Gaza City come despite ongoing indirect negotiations for a truce. Mediated by Egypt and Qatar, the talks seek a temporary halt to military operations and a framework for a broader ceasefire. On Monday, Hamas announced it had agreed to the latest ceasefire proposal in Gaza, involving a 60-day truce.
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