Israel strengthens military presence in anticipation of potential attack on Gaza City
In a series of developments, the situation in Gaza continues to escalate, with Belgium joining Australia, Canada, and France in recognizing the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly this month. Meanwhile, the Israeli military has intensified its bombardment of Gaza City, operating on its outskirts in recent days.
The Israeli retaliatory offensive has claimed at least 85 lives on Tuesday, according to reports, with most of the casualties being civilians. The Gaza civil defense agency reported a tragic incident where 10 people were killed in an air strike on a residential building in the southwest of Gaza City.
The ongoing conflict has displaced most of Gaza's population of over two million people at least once during the war, leaving many without access to essential services and supplies. The UN human rights office reported that Palestinians in Al-Mawasi faced little or no access to such services and supplies as recently as mid-August.
The Israeli military's operations have left Gaza City's residents feeling helpless and desperate ahead of the looming offensive. Weary residents such as Sanaa al-Dreimli, a resident of Gaza City, have shared harrowing accounts of waking up to the sound of bombing and destruction, finding most of their neighbours murdered and injured.
AFP footage from the aftermath of the strike in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood showed Palestinians carrying a dead girl from the rubble of the top floor. Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties in accessing many areas make it challenging for AFP to independently verify the tolls and details provided by the civil defense agency or the Israeli military.
The exact date for the planned Israeli offensive to capture Gaza City is not explicitly stated, but preparations have been underway since August 20, 2025, with official indications that reserve orders were to be issued in early September 2025 and the offensive expected to begin imminently. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has ordered the operation to be expedited, shortening the initial timetable without specifying a precise start date.
As the offensive approaches, around 40,000 reservists are being mobilized in the first wave. However, a group of Israeli reservists, known as "Soldiers for the Hostages," are refusing to serve in the war. Max Kresch, a member of the group, believes it is his patriotic duty to refuse to take part in the war.
The conflict in Gaza has been ongoing for nearly two years, and the situation is particularly dire in Gaza City, where a famine has been declared. Nearly a million people live in and around Gaza City, making overcrowding a significant issue for those seeking shelter. Khalil al-Madhoun, a resident of western Gaza City, has travelled twice to the south looking for somewhere to pitch a tent but found no space due to overcrowding.
The Israeli military has requested precise timeframes and coordinates to look into the reports of the air strike, but the exact details of the offensive remain unclear. As the international community watches, the situation in Gaza continues to unfold, with many fearing for the safety and well-being of its people.
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