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2025 Gaza City offensive

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2025 Gaza City offensive
Part of the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip during the Gaza war
October 2023 Gaza−Israel conflict.svg

  Gaza Strip under Hamas control
  Gaza Strip under Israeli control
  Furthest Israeli advance in the Gaza Strip
Date20 August 2025[a] – present
Location
Gaza City and Jabalia, Gaza Strip, Palestine
Status Preliminary operations or first stages of offensive underway, per Israel
Belligerents
Israel Hamas
Palestinian Islamic Jihad
Popular Resistance Committees[1]
Palestinian Mujahideen Movement[1]
Commanders and leaders
Israel Yaniv Asor
Israel Yehuda Fox
Israel Rafi Milo		 Hamas Izz al-Din al-Haddad
Hamas Haitham Khuwajari
Units involved
Strength
Israel ~130,000 troops[7] Palestine Unknown
Casualties and losses
4 soldiers killed[8] Unknown[b]
~50,000 Palestinian civilians displaced[9]

On 20 August 2025, as part of the Gaza war, Israel announced it had formally begun the "first stages" of a military offensive aiming to seize control of Gaza City from Hamas,[2] referred to in plans as Operation Gideon's Chariots II[10][11] or Operation Gideon's Chariots B[12][c] (Hebrew: מבצע מרכבות גדעון ב', romanized: Mivtza Merkavat Gid'on B'). Israel is framing the offensive as a continuation or a second part of Operation Gideon's Chariots, which lasted from 16 May to 4 August 2025.[10][14]

Current fighting in and around the city is intended to be superseded by a main Israeli offensive planned for mid-September 2025.[15] This plan was approved on 21 August by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who stated he was seeking to restart negotiations with Hamas in order to end the war on Israel's terms.[16]

On 3 September, Hamas announced a counteroffensive titled Operation Moses' Staff in response to the Israeli operations.[14][17] It has also reportedly transferred Israeli hostages to combat zones in the city,[18][4] where Israel claims they are intended to be used as human shields.[19][20]

The Israeli offensive is set to further intensify the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, with the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) having confirmed a famine in Gaza City on 22 August.[21] Furthermore, Israeli plans to raze the entire city if Hamas does not surrender[22] have begun to be carried out through the systematic destruction of residential areas.[23]

Prelude

Background

The last large scale Israeli attack on Gaza City was a siege that lasted from November 2023 to January 2025. In April 2025, Israel began an offensive into Shuja'iyya, a neighborhood in the city's east.

Preparations

On 8 August 2025, Israel's security cabinet approved a plan to take over Gaza City.[24]

Ahead of the offensive, Israel announced plans to relocate Palestinian civilians in Gaza City to the southern Gaza Strip,[25] with the deadline for evacuation set for 7 October 2025,[26] and intensified bombardments on the Gaza City neighborhoods of Zeitoun, Sabra, Rimal, and Tuffah.[25]

On 18 August, the IDF advanced into Sabra, and laid siege to a school and a United Nations clinic.[27]

On 20 August, Israeli defense minister Israel Katz approved the plans for the takeover of Gaza City.[10] The IDF announced it would be calling up 60,000 reservists for the offensive.[28]

Offensive

20 August

IDF spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin stated that Israel had "begun the preliminary operations and the first stages of the attack on Gaza City" and that the IDF was presently holding positions on the city's outskirts.[2] Furthermore, an Israeli military official stated that the IDF would seek to breach areas of Gaza City where they had not previously operated in.[29]

21 August

Israel bombarded targets throughout Gaza City with Sabra and Shuja'iyya being shelled. The IDF reported they were operating in Zeitoun, the city's southernmost neighborhood, and in Jabalia, north of the city.[30]

22 August

Hamas's Al-Qassam Brigades attacked and wounded an IDF soldier in Zeitoun.[31] Meanwhile, Israeli forces reached the central parts of Sabra.[32]

24 August

Israeli tanks advanced into the Saftawy neighborhood of Jabalia to take up positions adjacent to Jalaa Street, which separates western and eastern Gaza City.[32]

27 August

The Al-Quds Brigades of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) reported that they destroyed an Israeli military vehicle in Sabra with an explosive.[33]

29 August

In Zeitoun, seven IDF soldiers were wounded by an explosive device.[34] The neighborhood was also the site of a "major security incident", with speculation that some IDF soldiers might have been captured by the Al-Qassam Brigades.[35] Militants also carried out an ambush in Sabra.[4]

30 August

The IDF reportedly withdrew from Zeitoun as a result of the previous clashes in the neighborhood.[36] The IDF's Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee claimed that reports of the supposed kidnapping of missing Israeli soldiers were false.[34] Following "intensive search efforts", the soldiers were located and recovered alive.[37]

The Shin Bet carried out a drone strike in Gaza City that targeted the Al-Qassam Brigades spokesman Abu Obaida.[38] Israel says he was killed,[39] but Hamas has not commented on the claim or confirmed the assassination.[40]

At least 12 Palestinians, mostly children, were killed by an Israeli airstrike on a bakery in the Nasser neighborhood of Gaza City.[41]

1 September

Residents of Sheikh Radwan said Israeli forces sent old armored vehicles into the eastern parts of their neighborhood and then blew them up remotely, destroying several homes.[42]

2 September

Hamas said that an Israeli strike on the Daraj neighborhood killed 10 members of the same family.[43]

3 September

Hamas announced the start of a counteroffensive in Gaza City titled "Operation Moses' Staff".[14][17]

4 September

The IDF declared control over 40% of Gaza City.[44]

5 September

The IDF began bombing and flattening multiple high-rise buildings in Gaza City, claiming they were being used by Hamas for military purposes.[45]

8 September

Al-Qassam Brigades militants attacked an IDF outpost between Jabalia and Sheikh Radwan, using an explosive device to kill four soldiers inside a tank; at least one militant was killed by return fire.[8]

9 September

Israel ordered the entire population of Gaza City to evacuate to the al-Mawasi area.[46]

Humanitarian crisis

Forced displacement

Conflicting reports have emerged about the scale of civilian evacuations from Gaza City. Mustafa Qazzaat, head of the emergency committee in the Gaza municipality, described the situation as “catastrophic,” with “large numbers” fleeing eastern neighborhoods.[47] Associated Press journalists witnessed "small groups" heading south from the city in the week leading up to the offensive, but no large-scale evacuation.[48] The New Arab described a "unified" reaction from residents of Gaza City, with families choosing to remain in their homes due to feeling there was no safe place in all of the Gaza Strip.[11] The UN and international organizations tracking population movements reported thousands of people had fled the city.[30] Al-Monitor reported that fleeing residents were mostly heading towards the coast.[49] The Global Camp Coordination and Camp Management Cluster (CCCM) stated in late August that around 50,000 people have been displaced from Gaza City.[9]

According to Ahed Ferwana, a Gaza-based political analyst, Operation Gideon's Chariots II is not only a military maneuever but also a continuation of a strategy of demographic engineering by Israel that aims to create the conditions for permanent displacement of Gazans.[11]

Famine

On 22 August, the IPC confirmed that a famine was occurring in Gaza City, which could spread south to Deir al-Balah and Khan Yunis by September. Israel disputed the report.[21]

Razing of Gaza City

On 22 August, Katz stated that Israel would raze Gaza City if Hamas did not surrender.[22] This threat is being carried out, with residents of Gaza City reporting that the Israeli military is systematically razing parts of the city to the ground. One resident reported: "There is hardly any fighting going on, but heavy artillery and bulldozers are moving from one street to the other, destroying all of these residential clusters".[23] Mondoweiss reported that Israel had hired private contractors who use bulldozers to destroy entire neighbourhoods.[50]

Israeli hostages

On 17 August, it was reported that Hamas and PIJ were considering a plan to transfer Israeli hostages to Gaza City in order to deter the offensive.[19][20] On 29 August, Abu Obaida confirmed that hostages had been transferred to combat zones.[18]

On 5 September, Hamas published a new video of two Israeli hostages held in Gaza City, Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Alon Ohel. The video, purportedly filmed on 28 August, was rare in that it was filmed above ground, showing Gilboa-Dalal and Ohel being driven around the city in a car. According to statements made by Gilboa-Dalal, at least eight other hostages are being held in Gaza City, and the Israeli offensive is endangering all of their lives.[51]

Ceasefire debate

A 60-day ceasefire plan presented by Egyptian and Qatari mediators on 17 August[52] was accepted by Hamas, and would halt the offensive if accepted by the Israeli side. Netanyahu has not responded publicly to the ceasefire proposal, and his far-right political allies have heavily pressured him to reject it.[53]

On 31 August, an Israeli security cabinet meeting was convened during which all defense officials argued in favor of "a limited hostage release deal" and stated that a military takeover of Gaza City would not bring victory over Hamas.[54]

On 7 September, American president Donald Trump stated that Israel had accepted his new proposal for a ceasefire and that Hamas must accept it as well. It is unclear what the terms of the proposed ceasefire are.[55] In response to Trump's statement, Hamas said it "is ready to immediately sit at the negotiating table to discuss the release of all prisoners in exchange for a clear declaration to end the war, a total withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and creation of a committee of independent Palestinians to run the Gaza Strip."[56]

Reactions

Countries

  • Australia: Foreign minister Penny Wong said the plan would worsen the Gaza humanitarian crisis and constitute a violation of international law, calling for a ceasefire, the return of Israeli hostages, the entry of aid, and a two-state solution.[26]
  • Germany: Germany announced that it would stop exporting military equipment to Israel that could be used in the Gaza Strip.[57]
  • Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Turkey: These countries condemned the planned offensive.[57]
  • Spain, Ireland, Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal, and Slovenia: These countries issued a joint letter condemning the planned offensive, stating it would deepen the humanitarian crisis and endanger the lives of Israeli hostages. The letter also called for a ceasefire and two-state solution.[58]
  • United Kingdom: James Kariuki, the British deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, stated the planned offensive was "not a path to resolution" and instead "a path to more bloodshed."[57]
  • United States: President Donald Trump supported Israel's Gaza offensive plan[59] and called for Hamas to be "confronted and destroyed" as soon as possible.[60] Dorothy Shea, the American interim ambassador to the UN, said that "Israel has a right to decide what is necessary for its security, and what measures are appropriate to end the threat posed by Hamas and other similar groups."[57]

Palestinian factions

  • Hamas: The militant group released a statement condemning the Israeli offensive as "a blatant disregard for the efforts made by the mediators”, referring to the Egyptian-Qatari ceasefire proposal it had accepted.[47] Hamas also called Katz' comments about razing Gaza City "a confession of committing a crime that amounts to ethnic cleansing" and stated it would not disarm without the creation of an independent Palestinian state.[22]
  • Palestinian Authority: President Mahmoud Abbas called Israel's decision a "complete crime that represents a continuation of the policy of genocide, systematic killing, starvation and siege, and a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and U.N. resolutions."[57]

Within Israel

  • Israel Israeli protestors: Tens of thousands of Israeli protestors began demonstrating against the plans, and believe they endanger the Israeli hostages held in Gaza. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum stated on Twitter that "expanding the fighting endangers the hostages and the soldiers — the people of Israel are not willing to risk them!"[57]
  • Israel Israeli opposition: Yair Lapid said that the planned offensive was a far-right plot that would be a disaster for the IDF and Israel and cause the deaths of the remaining hostages. Yair Golan, leader of The Democrats, called the plan a “death sentence to hostages and more bereaved families.”[26]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ On 20 August, the IDF spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin announced the start of "the preliminary operations and the first stages of the attack on Gaza City".[2] The IDF had nonetheless already been operating within parts of the city prior to the announcement, having launched an offensive into the Shuja'iyya neighborhood since 4 April and an incursion into the Sabra neighborhood since 18 August.
  2. ^ Including Abu Obaida, according to Israel.
  3. ^ In the Hebrew alphabet, the letter Bet (ב) (B in the Latin alphabet), is equivalent to the number two.[13]

References

  1. ^ a b "المقاومة تحقق إصابات دقيقة ومباشرة في صفوف قوات الاحتلال (فيديو)". Al Jazeera Mubasher (in Arabic). 3 September 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "Israel says it has taken first steps of military operation to seize Gaza City". France 24. 20 August 2025. Archived from the original on 2 September 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  3. ^ a b Levaton, Stav (27 August 2025). "IDF says troops continuing operations on Gaza City outskirts ahead of planned wider offensive". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d "BREAKING: 4 Israeli soldiers missing, others killed in resistance ambush in Zeitoun neighbourhood east of Gaza: Israel media". Middle East Monitor. 30 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  5. ^ a b Zitun, Yoav (27 August 2025). "IDF strikes Hamas terror cell, weapons depot on Gaza City outskirts as offensive's preparations continue". Ynetnews. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  6. ^ a b Zitun, Yoav (29 August 2025). "At the gates of Gaza City, Ynet reporter joins IDF forces battling Hamas tunnels". Ynetnews. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  7. ^ Zitun, Yoav (20 August 2025). "IDF announces immediate mobilization of 60,000 reservists ahead of Gaza City offensive". Ynetnews. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  8. ^ a b Zitun, Yoav (8 September 2025). "Four IDF soldiers killed in Hamas attack on Gaza outpost". Ynetglobal. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  9. ^ a b Abu Aoun, Thaer (8 September 2025). "Sheikh Radwan besieged by tanks, drones, explosives amid Israel's advance on northern Gaza City". Mada Masr. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  10. ^ a b c "Defense Minister Israel Katz approves Gaza City takeover". The Jerusalem Post. 20 August 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  11. ^ a b c "Gaza City's residents defy Israel's 'Gideon's Chariots 2' attack". The New Arab. 20 August 2025. Archived from the original on 2 September 2025.
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  13. ^ "The Hebrew Alphabet - The Hebrew Letter Bet (ב)". Hebrew Today. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
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  21. ^ a b "For the first time, the world's food crises authority announces a famine in Gaza". AP News. 22 August 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
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  23. ^ a b "'Fields of rubble': Israel, destroying Gaza City, kills 78 across enclave". Al Jazeera. 31 August 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
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  25. ^ a b "Israel intensifies Gaza City attacks, forcing starving Palestinians to flee". Al Jazeera. 17 August 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  26. ^ a b c "Live updates: Israel's security cabinet approves Netanyahu plan to occupy Gaza City". CNN. 7 August 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  27. ^ Zitun, Yoav; Ari, Lior Ben; Yehoshua, Yossi (19 August 2025). "Israeli tanks enter Gaza City outskirts amid reports Hamas accepted ceasefire proposal". Ynetnews. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  28. ^ "Israel calls up 60,000 reservists ahead of Gaza City offensive". BBC. 20 August 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  29. ^ "Israel to expand siege of Gaza City, defying ceasefire calls". The New Arab. 21 August 2025.
  30. ^ a b "Israel pounds neighborhoods as operation to take Gaza City underway". The Washington Post. 21 August 2025. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  31. ^ "Palestinian groups report attacks on Israeli ground forces in Gaza". Al Jazeera. 22 August 2025.
  32. ^ a b "Israeli tanks advance to northern Gaza City after Netanyahu approves takeover". Mada Masr. 24 August 2025. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  33. ^ "سرايا القدس تعلن تدمير آلية عسكرية إسرائيلية جنوب مدينة غزة". Shorouk News (in Arabic). 1 September 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  34. ^ a b "Israeli soldiers wounded by explosive device in Gaza City". The Jerusalem Post. 30 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  35. ^ "Evening recap". Middle East Eye. 29 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  36. ^ "The Occupation Begins Withdrawing Its Forces from Al-Zaytoun Neighborhood after a Severe Ambush". Jordan News. 30 August 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  37. ^ "'Israeli' soldiers found after going missing following Hamas ambush". Roya News. 30 August 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  38. ^ "Israel claims Gaza drone strike targeted Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida". Middle East Eye. 30 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  39. ^ "Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida killed in Gaza, Israel says". BBC News. 31 August 2025.
  40. ^ "Israel Says It Killed Abu Obeida, Spokesman for Hamas's Armed Wing". The New York Times. 31 August 2025.
  41. ^ "At least 12 killed in Israeli attack on Gaza City bakery". Middle East Eye. 30 August 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  42. ^ Al-Mughrabi, Nidal (1 September 2025). "Israel sends tanks deeper into Gaza City, more families flee". Reuters. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  43. ^ "Hamas calls for UN intervention after two Israeli massacres". Middle East Eye. 2 September 2025. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  44. ^ Rubinstein, Roy (4 September 2025). "IDF says it controls 40% of Gaza City as offensive expands". Ynet Global. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  45. ^ Ravid, Barak (5 September 2025). "Israel bombs high-rise buildings in Gaza City ahead of massive offensive". Axios. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  46. ^ "Israel orders full evacuation of Gaza City as Netanyahu warns 'this is only the beginning'". CNN. 9 September 2025. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  47. ^ a b "Hamas says Israel's plan to conquer Gaza shows 'blatant disregard' for peace". Al Arabiya English. 21 August 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  48. ^ "Israel will call up 60,000 reservists as it plans a new phase of war in Gaza". NPR. 20 August 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  49. ^ "Israel increases bombardment of Gaza City, kills 16 people around the enclave - medics say". Al-Monitor. 28 August 2025. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  50. ^ Hajjaj, Tareq S. (28 August 2025). "Airstrikes, explosive vehicles, and bulldozers cause 'insane' destruction in Gaza City, eyewitnesses and civil defense say". Mondoweiss. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  51. ^ "Hamas releases video of hostages in Gaza City as Israeli military advances". CNN. 5 September 2025. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  52. ^ "Hamas says it has agreed to new ceasefire proposal as mediators push to renew talks". CNN. 18 August 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  53. ^ "Preparations for a Move on Gaza City Have Started, Israel's Military Says". The New York Times. 20 August 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  54. ^ Harel, Amos (1 September 2025). "Defense chiefs to Netanyahu: Gaza City takeover won't defeat Hamas, push for limited deal". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 1 September 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  55. ^ "Trump suggests he put forward new Gaza ceasefire proposal". Al Jazeera. 7 September 2025. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  56. ^ Berman, Lazar (7 September 2025). "Responding to Trump, Hamas says it's 'ready to immediately sit at the negotiating table'". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  57. ^ a b c d e f Hernandez, Joe (10 August 2025). "Netanyahu defends Israel's plan to seize Gaza City, despite global condemnation". NPR. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  58. ^ "Ireland pens letter with other European countries in condemning Israel's Gaza plan". Government of Ireland. 10 August 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  59. ^ "US tacitly supports Israel's plan to take control of Gaza Strip". 8 August 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  60. ^ "Trump: Hostages will only be released 'when Hamas is confronted and destroyed'". The Times of Israel. 18 August 2025. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
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