Israel is set to intensify its 22-month war with Hamas by taking over Gaza City, sparking fears for Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages still held in the territory. The plan, which was approved by the Israeli Security Cabinet on Thursday, aims to take control of all of Gaza, but faces opposition from Hamas.
The Israeli air and ground war has killed tens of thousands of people in Gaza, displaced most of the population, destroyed vast areas, and pushed the territory toward famine. A major ground operation would likely require mobilizing thousands of troops and forcibly evacuating civilians, worsening the humanitarian crisis.
International powers, including French, British, Canadian, and German governments, have stepped up criticism of the war amid mounting shock over media reports showing starvation. Germany has said it will not authorize the export of military equipment that could be used in Gaza until further notice.
The United Nations and independent experts view the Israeli ministry’s figures as the most reliable estimate of casualties, which include over 61,000 Palestinians killed. The international community is concerned about further regional destabilization if Israel fully reoccupies Gaza.
Mediators from Egypt and Qatar are preparing a new framework that includes the release of all hostages in one go, in return for an end to the war and withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory. The plan aims to address the contentious issue of what to do with Hamas’ weapons, with Israel seeking full disarmament and Hamas refusing.
A Palestinian-Arab committee would run Gaza and oversee reconstruction efforts until the establishment of a Palestinian administration with a new police force trained by two U.S. allies in the Middle East. However, it is unclear what role the Western-backed Palestinian Authority would play.
Many Israelis are united behind the war, but dissent has steadily grown as hostages have languished in captivity. Some families of the hostages and their supporters have staged large protests calling for a ceasefire with Hamas that would bring their loved ones home.
The situation on the ground remains dire, with at least six Palestinians shot dead and over 140 wounded on Friday at the Israeli-run Zikim Crossing. The area is largely devastated, with “rubble” being an overstatement, according to Gaza City resident Umm Youssef.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-hostages-gaza-08-08-2025-920f5b4bfd3fe07ded6acd28f5d77768