Israel Approves Expanded Military Operation in Gaza City
Israel’s military is mobilising up to 60,000 reservists in preparation for a full-scale takeover of Gaza City. In the meantime, a contentious West Bank settlement proposal was approved by Israeli authorities.
Israeli plans to expand the West Bank settlement are denounced by the Palestinian Authority. Israel’s approval of a proposal to increase the number of settlements in the occupied West Bank has been denounced by the Palestinian Authority.
On a plot of land between east Jerusalem and the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, known by Israel as E1, 3,500 new flats are to be built, according to the proposal. The West Bank would essentially be divided in two, according to critics.
“This undermines the chances of implementing the two-state solution, establishing a Palestinian state on the ground, and fragments its geographic and demographic unity,” the Palestinian Authority’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on X.
It stated that the action will cement the “division of the occupied West Bank into isolated areas and cantons that are disconnected from one another, turning them into something akin to real prisons, where movement is only possible through Israeli checkpoints and under the terror of armed settler militias.”
Although Israel contests this, international law declares that Israel’s settlements in the West Bank are unlawful.Hundreds of fans gathered outside a London court to see Irish rap duo Kneecap as one of its members, Mo Chara, attempted to have a terrorism charge against him dropped for allegedly flying a Hezbollah flag during a performance last year.
The Terrorism Act, which makes it illegal to exhibit an object in a way that raises a reasonable suspicion that someone is a supporter of a prohibited organisation, was used to charge Mo Chara, whose real name is Liam Og O hAnnaidh, in May.
The armed wing of Hezbollah is classified as a terrorist organisation under UK legislation, although the political party itself is not. Outside the London magistrate’s court, supporters of the Belfast-based rap duo gathered with posters that saying “Free Mo Chara,” while others waved Palestinian and the Irish flag.
Outside the court, Kneecap supporters were restricted in where they could demonstrate by police. The group denounced the action as being “designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome,” despite officials’ claims that it was done to “prevent serious disruption.”
The accusation against him was made too late, according to Mo Chara. On May 22, 2025, he was formally charged, one day past the six-month period for charges such as this.
The fate of the hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians taking refuge in Gaza City, which is home to some of the last remaining vital infrastructure in the region, has drawn international condemnation of plans for a wider onslaught.
Additionally, it is the Palestinian enclave’s most densely populated region. According to Israel, Hamas militants still utilise Gaza as a base of operations for their attacks.
Israeli hostage families have also voiced their disapproval of the idea and staged sizable demonstrations on Sunday. Many worry that the offensive will put the remaining hostages in even greater risk.
Twenty of the approximately fifty hostages who were captured in October 2023 are believed to be alive.In order to ensure the release of Israeli hostages and end the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul urged the Israeli government and the armed Hamas group to reach a ceasefire agreement.
According to Wadephul, who was in Jakarta speaking with his Indonesian counterpart, “There is now a very real opportunity to resolve the conflict.”
“The goal for all of us is clear: a two-state solution, which must be negotiated,” said Wadephul. Hamas accepted a ceasefire proposal on Monday that calls for a 60-day initial truce, the restricted release of hostages in return for Palestinian detainees, and more access to aid in Gaza.Israel hasn’t reacted yet.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel will not stop fighting in Gaza until all of the hostages are returned and Hamas is vanquished and disarmed, despite his earlier statements that fighting may be halted to allow for the release of the captives.
The US-backed negotiations have been mediated by Qatar and Egypt. Now nearly in its 23rd month, the war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led terrorists attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking another 250 hostage.
Health officials in the Hamas-run enclave say that since the war began, more over 62,000 Palestinians have died. The numbers are considered credible by the United Nations.
The German foreign minister went on to say that his nation supports Israel’s war against Hamas and has a unique obligation to it.
Wadephul did point out that the German government has called on Israel to take action to end the suffering of civilians in Gaza and has condemned the suffering of the people there.
“The goal for all of us is clear: a two-state solution, which must be negotiated,” said Wadephul. “It would be in all of our interests if this political conflict could be resolved through a peaceful process.”
Tens of thousands of reservists will be called up in advance of an upcoming operation in Gaza City, according to plans approved by Israel’s Defence Ministry. According to military authorities quoted in the Times of Israel newspaper, some 60,000 reservists would be called up gradually on Monday.
Most of the troops, between 40,000 and 50,000, have been told to report for service at the start of September. A third contingent will be called up in February, and a second, smaller group is due in November.
During the anticipated offensive, 130,000 reservists are anticipated to be in action.Officials speaking off the record to Israeli and foreign media say Israel’s military leadership has approved a draft plan to occupy Gaza City.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has given his approval to the plan, the Defence Ministry informed the AFP news agency. It is yet unknown when the operation will begin.
The operation would take place in areas of Gaza City where Hamas is still active and the Israeli force has not yet conducted operations, an unnamed Israeli military official told the AP news agency.
According to the official, Israeli troops are already preparing for the enlarged offensive in Gaza City’s Zeitoun and Jabaliya neighbourhoods.The insider also stated that now that the military has given its permission, the plan will move forward to final approval.
Weeks after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel intended to fully occupy Gaza City in order to eradicate the threat posed by Hamas militants and free the remaining hostages taken during the October 7 terror attacks in southern Israel, the preliminary approval was granted.
It follows yesterday’s announcement by Hamas that it had agreed to a fresh ceasefire plan. Israel has not yet responded to the plan, though, in an official manner. Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir of the Israeli military had previously opposed plans for a full takeover of the Gaza Strip, but last week he ceased to oppose the framework plan.
We’re covering an increased Israeli offensive in Gaza City today that has just got the go-ahead from military authorities. Reports suggest that tens of thousands of reservists will be called up in September to start the new operation, while specifics are still being worked out.
Source: DW News
