Israel is preparing to launch a full-scale military offensive into Gaza City in mid-September, according to reporting by the Times of Israel.
An evacuation order for roughly 1 million Palestinians still inside Gaza City could come as soon as Sunday, clearing the way for Israeli forces to enter the enclave.
Reservists Called Up
More than 60,000 reservists are due to report for duty on September 2, marking the start of the next phase of Israel’s war against Hamas.
The operation is designed to topple the terror group and secure the release of the remaining hostages.
“Gates of Hell” Warning
Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning Friday:
“Soon, the gates of hell will open upon the heads of Hamas’s murderers and rapists in Gaza – until they agree to Israel’s conditions for ending the war, primarily the release of all hostages and their disarmament.”
Roughly 50 Israelis remain in Hamas captivity, with about 20 believed alive and the rest presumed dead.
Political Push vs. Military Caution
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders are pushing to accelerate the offensive, citing the deteriorating condition of hostages as a matter of “urgent” national priority.
The military, however, is reportedly insisting on both civilian evacuation and international legitimacy before launching the Gaza City takeover.
Stalled Negotiations
Hamas has offered a partial deal: release of 10 living hostages and 18 bodies in exchange for a 60-day truce. Netanyahu has rejected this, demanding the release of all hostages before any cease-fire is considered.
Talks are expected to resume in the coming days, possibly in Cairo or outside Doha, after U.S. and Israeli delegations pulled out of Qatar last month. Israeli officials believe the looming offensive is adding pressure on Hamas to return to the negotiating table.
Protests in Tel Aviv
Meanwhile, thousands of Israelis marched again in Tel Aviv on Saturday, demanding a deal to secure the hostages’ release and warning that a new Gaza City offensive could endanger their lives.
Liran Berman, whose brothers were abducted by Hamas, said:
“Expanding the fighting only puts them and all the hostages at even greater risk. There is a deal on the table. But deals do not last forever — their windows close fast and hard. This may be the last chance to save lives.”
Hunt down every last one of them, with extreme prejudice, free the hostages and unalive the rest of the terrorists’