Israel Approves Major Military Plan to Seize Gaza City
On August 20, 2025, Israel took a dramatic step in its ongoing war with Hamas. Defense Minister Israel Katz formally approved a large-scale military plan to seize full control of Gaza City, marking what could become the most decisive and controversial operation of the conflict.
The offensive, known as Operation Gideon’s Chariots II, is aimed at breaking Hamas’s last remaining strongholds inside Gaza’s largest urban center. It comes after months of fighting that have devastated much of the enclave but left Hamas still entrenched in certain neighborhoods.
Mobilization of Forces
As part of the plan, Israel will call up 60,000 military reservists—one of the largest mobilizations in recent memory. Another 20,000 active-duty soldiers will see their service extended to ensure enough manpower for the operation.
The Israeli government says this buildup is necessary to clear and hold neighborhoods such as Zeitoun, Jabaliya, Sabra, Rimal, and Tuffah, areas where Hamas fighters are believed to be heavily dug in. These districts also contain parts of Hamas’s underground tunnel system, which Israel has described as a “city beneath a city.”
Civilian Evacuations
Perhaps the most striking element of the plan is the scale of civilian evacuations. According to Israeli officials, up to one million Palestinians may be forced to leave Gaza City and move toward the south of the Strip.
Israel argues this measure is designed to prevent mass casualties during the assault. But aid groups and international observers warn that such mass displacement could trigger an even deeper humanitarian disaster in a region already struggling with shortages of food, medicine, and shelter.
Objectives of the Operation
The Israeli Security Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, outlined five key goals for the offensive:
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Disarm and dismantle Hamas’s military capability.
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Rescue all remaining hostages, around 50 in total, though only about 20 are believed to be alive.
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Demilitarize the Gaza Strip, preventing it from being used as a base for future attacks.
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Establish Israeli security control over the territory, at least temporarily.
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Form a new civilian authority to govern Gaza, one that excludes both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.
Netanyahu emphasized that Israel has no intention of permanently ruling Gaza. Instead, he suggested that once the operation is complete, power could be handed over to an Arab-led administration acceptable to Israel and its regional allies.
Internal Opposition
Despite the government’s determination, the plan has sparked significant dissent within Israel itself. Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the Israeli Chief of Staff, reportedly warned that the assault could endanger soldiers as well as the hostages. He went as far as describing the plan as sending troops into a “death trap.”
Families of hostages have also raised their voices, staging protests and accusing the government of sacrificing their loved ones for political goals. Many fear that a full-scale push into Gaza City could seal the fate of the hostages who remain alive.
International Reaction
Global reaction has been swift and uneasy. Aid groups have sounded alarms over the potential displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, while foreign governments—including some of Israel’s allies—have expressed concerns about the humanitarian fallout.
Diplomatic pressure is likely to mount in the coming days, especially as negotiations for a possible ceasefire with Hamas had been underway when the plan was announced. Critics argue that such an operation could derail any chance of diplomatic resolution and push the region further into chaos.
The Road Ahead
For Israel, the decision to move forward with Operation Gideon’s Chariots II reflects both determination and desperation. After nearly a year of war, Hamas remains weakened but not defeated, and Israeli leaders are under pressure to deliver a decisive blow.
Whether the offensive will succeed—or whether it will deepen the crisis—remains uncertain. What is clear is that Gaza City is about to become the center of one of the most intense and dangerous military operations in recent history.
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