Israel said it would call up to 60,000 reservists for the new offensive, and other heavily populated areas of the war-torn Gaza Strip
Steffie Banatvala
Thursday 21 August 2025
Brigadier General Effie Defrin said that IDF troops had begun circling the outskirts of Gaza City as part of the first stages of its new assault.
Israeli forces have escalated shelling on Sabra and Tuffah neighbourhoods, as hundreds of Palestinians fled Zeitoun and Sabra.
Following a clash with Hamas south of Khan Younis in the strip on Wednesday, the IDF spokesman said: “We will deepen the attack on Hamas in Gaza City, a stronghold of governmental and military terror for the terrorist organization.”
Brigadier General Effie Defrin said that IDF troops had begun circling the outskirts of Gaza City as part of the first stages of its new assault.
Israeli forces have escalated shelling on Sabra and Tuffah neighbourhoods, as hundreds of Palestinians fled Zeitoun and Sabra.
Following a clash with Hamas south of Khan Younis in the strip on Wednesday, the IDF spokesman said: “We will deepen the attack on Hamas in Gaza City, a stronghold of governmental and military terror for the terrorist organization.”
Hamas, in a statement on Telegram, accused Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing the ceasefire deal in favour of continuing a “brutal war against innocent civilians in Gaza City.”
It comes as Israel said it would call up to 60,000 reservists for the new offensive and other heavily populated areas of the war-torn Gaza Strip.
More than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed since 7 October 2023, according to the enclave’s Hamas-run health ministry.
Key Points
- Israel has taken its first steps of an operation to take over Gaza City
- Thousands of Palestinians flee intense assault on Gaza City
- Hamas accuses Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing the ceasefire deal
- Israel approves controversial settlement project in the occupied West Bank
- IDF admits 'failure' in Hamas attack on Gaza base: reports
Photos: aftermath of Israeli strike at a camp for internally displaced people in Deir el-Balah
A displaced Palestinian girl walks next to an impact crater, left behind after an Israeli strike, at a camp for internally displaced people in Deir el-Balah (AFP/Getty)
Displaced Palestinians gather around an impact crater (AFP via Getty Images)
A displaced Palestinian woman sits with her belongings after an Israeli strike (AFP via Getty Images)
Steffie Banatvala21 August 2025 17:00
1 hour ago
UK summons Israeli Ambassador over Tel Aviv’s approval of a major settlement plan in the West Bank
The UK Foreign Office has summoned Israeli Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely over Tel Aviv’s approval of a major settlement plan in the West Bank.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the E1 settlement plan, which would sever one of the last geographical links between the northern and southern West Bank, would “mark a flagrant breach of international law and critically undermine the two-state solution”.
On Thursday, Mr Lammy and other foreign ministers from Europe, Australia, Canada and Japan issued a joint statement again condemning the E1 plan, saying it would bring “no benefits to the Israeli people” and “risks undermining security and fuels further violence and instability”.
Steffie Banatvala21 August 2025
1 hour ago
Hostage families call for protest to end war this evening in Tel Aviv
A forum representing the relatives of hostages held by Hamas has called on the public to join a march around Israel’s Kirya military base in Tel Aviv.
“The time is now - move forward with the deal! Bring them home and end the war! Every delay is a missed opportunity to save lives,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged.
“We call on all citizens of Israel to step out onto balconies and into the streets, and turn on their phone flashlights in a powerful show of solidarity with the hostages.”
Steffie Banatvala
21 August 2025 16:00
2 hours ago
IDF warns medics, residents to move ahead of 'full evacuation'
Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee wrote on X that the military had started making what he said were initial warning calls to medical and international organisations operating in Gaza's north, telling them that Gaza City residents should start to prepare to move out of the city and towards the south.
Mr Adraee also shared a recording of what he said was an Israeli officer telling a Gazan health ministry official that hospitals in southern Gaza should also prepare to receive patients from medical facilities in the north, who will be forced to evacuate.
The call could not be independently verified.
Steffie Banatvala21 August 2025 15:26
2 hours ago
UK joins calls for Israel to allow foreign journalists into Gaza
The UK has called on Israel to allow foreign journalists to enter Gaza as Tel Aviv ramps up its offensive.
In a statement alongside 25 other members of the Media Freedom Coalition, the UK urged Israel to “allow immediate independent foreign media access and afford protection for journalists operating in Gaza”.
Foreign media have been banned from entering Gaza since October 2023, other than for brief, tightly controlled trips escorted by the Israeli military. Many Palestinian journalists in the region have been killed.
The coalition said: “Journalists and media workers play an essential role in putting the spotlight on the devastating reality of war. Access to conflict zones is vital to carrying out this role effectively.
“We oppose all attempts to restrict press freedom and block entry to journalists during conflicts.
“We also strongly condemn all violence directed against journalists and media workers, especially the extremely high number of fatalities, arrests and detentions.”
Steffie Banatvala21 August 2025 15:16
2 hours ago
Photos: Palestinians queue to receive food aid in Khan Younis
Food crisis continues as Israel ramps up offensive (REUTERS)
Food crisis continues as Israel ramps up offensive (REUTERS)
Steffie Banatvala
21 August 2025 3 hours ago
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