Israel on Wednesday entered the first stages of its planned assault on Gaza City after approving a plan to take over the city that includes calling up 60,000 reservists for its expanded military operation in the besieged Palestinian enclave.
“We have begun the preliminary actions and the initial stages of the offensive on Gaza City, and already now IDF forces are holding positions on the outskirts of Gaza City,” Israeli military spokesman Effie Defrin told reporters on Wednesday.
He added: “We will intensify the strikes on Hamas in Gaza City, the political and military stronghold of the terror organization.”
Defrin also said that to “minimize harm to civilians,” the IDF will be warning citizens to allow them to evacuate.
“We are continuing to allow humanitarian aid for the residents of the Strip and are even expanding it — with additional central aid distribution points,” he said.
The U.S. ally appeared to be pushing ahead Wednesday with a new phase of its war despite international opposition — and in the face of a renewed push for a ceasefire with Hamas.
Defense Minister Israel Katz has authorized the plans for the major new operation, a spokesperson for the ministry confirmed to NBC News. It will also see an additional 20,000 reservists have their service extended, the Israeli military said.
The assault is expected to force thousands of Palestinians in northern Gaza to the south of the strip, which is suffering an intensifying hunger crisis under Israel’s military offensive and aid restrictions.
In a Wednesday night statement, the Prime Minister’s office said that “ahead of approval of the plans for the operation in Gaza City, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed that the timetables — for seizing control of the last terrorist strongholds and the defeat of Hamas — be shortened.”
“The Prime Minister expresses his great appreciation for the reservist fighters who have been mobilized and their families, and all IDF soldiers,” the statement added. “Together we will win.”
Hamas did not issue an immediate response to the announcement about Israeli troops taking up positions outside Gaza City.
Scores of people have been killed by starvation in recent weeks, including dozens of children, according to the Palestinian health ministry in the enclave.
In addition to mounting global outrage, sweeping protests have increasingly dominated its own streets, with growing numbers of Israelis demanding an end to its offensive in the enclave.
Hundreds of thousands staged furious demonstrations last weekend alongside a general strike, fueled in part by fears that the planned Gaza City assault could endanger the lives of remaining hostages.
Meanwhile, Israel also gave final approval for a widely contested settlement project in the occupied West Bank that would effectively split the territory in two. Palestinians and rights groups have warned the move could destroy plans for a future Palestinian state.