Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
The Israeli military has officially launched the initial phase of its ground offensive into Gaza City, marking a significant escalation in the nearly two-year-long conflict. On Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it had taken control of the outskirts of the city, a key Hamas stronghold, and now claims control over approximately 75% of the entire Gaza Strip.
Brigadier General Avi Davreen, the IDF spokesperson, confirmed that the operation is now underway and that 60,000 military reservists have already been mobilized this week, with an additional 20,000 call-up orders expected in the coming weeks. The military also stated that it is working to establish designated “safe zones” for civilians to evacuate and receive medical assistance.
The operation follows the Israeli government’s recent approval of a detailed plan to seize full control of Gaza City. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed earlier this month that the strategy had been signed off by both the Ministry of Defense and the Israeli Cabinet. The plan represents a critical turning point in Israel’s military campaign.
In a related statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office revealed that he had ordered a shortening of the timeline for capturing Hamas’s remaining strongholds in the city. “The Prime Minister expresses deep appreciation for the reservists and their families, as well as for all IDF soldiers involved in the campaign,” the statement read.
No Response to Ceasefire Proposal Amid Fighting
The renewed ground offensive comes at a time of heightened anticipation surrounding a proposed ceasefire agreement, which Hamas has reportedly accepted. However, Israeli Channel 12 reported on Wednesday that Netanyahu has decided not to issue an official response to the proposal, instead opting to continue military operations while negotiations proceed “under fire.”
The lack of engagement with the ceasefire proposal has sparked concern among international observers, particularly given the scale of humanitarian suffering in Gaza and the risks posed to both civilians and soldiers in the escalating conflict.
Foiled Hamas Ambush in Khan Younis
Meanwhile, the IDF revealed it had thwarted a deadly ambush attempt by Hamas’s armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. According to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority, the planned attack targeted a Border Guard patrol and could have resulted in multiple Israeli casualties or kidnappings.
The military stated that around 9 a.m. on Wednesday, approximately 15 Hamas fighters emerged from a tunnel shaft just meters from the IDF’s elite Haruv Unit position. Armed with machine guns and anti-tank missiles, the militants opened fire on advancing troops. One Israeli soldier was critically wounded in the exchange.
The IDF suspects that Hamas coordinated the attack with additional militant cells operating in the area. The incident has prompted Israeli military officials to initiate an investigation into potential failures in intelligence coverage leading up to the ambush attempt. The Hebrew-language daily Maariv reported that concerns have been raised regarding lapses in surveillance and ground-level threat assessment.
Escalation Signals Prolonged Conflict
Wednesday’s developments suggest that the conflict is entering a new, potentially more dangerous phase. The IDF’s intensified operations in Gaza City are likely to lead to further civilian displacement and casualties, even as international calls grow louder for a humanitarian truce.
With no formal Israeli response to the ceasefire offer, and ground maneuvers continuing deep into Gaza, the possibility of an imminent resolution appears increasingly remote. As military objectives take precedence and negotiations stall, the humanitarian toll on Gaza’s civilian population continues to mount.
