Gaza (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Residents reported Thursday that Israel hammered Gaza City and nearby areas overnight, following the defence ministry’s approval of an expanded offensive aimed at eliminating the remaining Hamas strongholds in the strip.
“We are not waiting. We have begun the preliminary actions, and already now, IDF (army) troops are holding the outskirts of Gaza City,”
The Israeli military said in a statement.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the military to accelerate this operation, which is estimated to take several months and achieve the goal of defeating Hamas, releasing any hostages, and removing threats posed by militants.
How has Israel broadened its offence on Gaza City?
Prior to its offensive, Israel’s military announced it would start reservist call-ups in early September. The latest order includes the use of approximately 60,000 reservists and increased worries that this offensive could worsen the already major humanitarian disaster in the Palestinian territories.
Israel’s plans to ramp up the conflict with the goal of annexing Gaza City have sparked international condemnation and domestic pushback. Gaza Civil Defence Agency spokesman, Mahmud Bassal, informed that its overnight air strikes and artillery were targeting the northwest and southeast of Gaza City.
On Thursday night, the Israeli military outlined the variety of operations it has conducted throughout the Gaza Strip in the past few weeks. They claimed that these actions and strikes “created the conditions” to increase pressure on Hamas and allow them to “phase” the next segments of the campaign.
While Israel tightened its encirclement on the edge of Gaza City, mediators continued to wait for official acknowledgement of the ceasefire proposal, which Hamas had already agreed to earlier this week.
What is the status of ongoing ceasefire negotiations with mediators?
Israel and Hamas have been in indirect negotiations for almost two years, including two short ceasefires where Israeli hostages were transferred in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Meanwhile, Hamas has formally accepted a 60-day ceasefire with Israel. The deal includes the release of about half the hostages (currently being held by Hamas in Gaza). As part of the agreement, Hamas has agreed to release about 10 living hostages as well as the bodies of 18 deceased captives, in two separate phases, during the ceasefire. In exchange, Israel is said to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including long-term prisoners (including minors age -) and female prisoners.
How many hostages are currently held by Hamas in Gaza?
Currently, it is estimated that Hamas holds around 50 hostages in Gaza, most taken in the assaults of October 7, 2023, when they took 49 hostages, the other having been taken earlier. There is a mix of hostages of both civilians and military personnel. According to Israeli intelligence, they believe that at least 27 of the remaining hostages have been killed, while the fate of others is unknown.
