Photo:AP

Israel has launched a major new stage of its military campaign in Gaza, focusing on taking control of Gaza City, which is the last big stronghold of Hamas. The move has brought more destruction, new military call-ups, and growing international fears of a worsening humanitarian disaster.

A New Phase of the War

The Israeli military said it has now reached the outskirts of Gaza City. Officials explained that this marks the start of the second phase of Operation “Gideon’s Chariots.”

The plan includes the call-up of about 60,000 reservists starting in September. This shows that Israel is preparing for an even larger and longer fight. The military said its goal is to crush Hamas’s remaining fighters and secure full control of Gaza City.

At the same time, many voices inside and outside Israel have expressed concern. Human rights groups and international organizations warn that a direct assault on Gaza City — where hundreds of thousands of people are still living — could trigger one of the worst humanitarian crises in decades.

The Voices of Gaza Residents

For ordinary families in Gaza, the days and nights are filled with terror. Residents say they hear continuous explosions, airstrikes, and artillery fire. Homes are shaking, and people are running into the streets with nowhere safe to go.

One man, Ahmad al-Shanti, described his fear:

“The house shakes with every blast. The warplanes and tanks never stop. We hear ambulances and cries for help all night. The sound is getting closer to us, but we have nowhere to escape.”

Another woman, Amal Abdel-Aal, was displaced a week ago when her home in the Al-Sabra neighborhood was destroyed. She said:

“No one in Gaza has slept for days. The artillery fire keeps going. The sky lights up with flashes of strikes. We are trapped.”

Civil defense workers in Gaza explained that Israeli bombardments hit northwest and southeast areas of the city. These strikes destroyed entire blocks and forced families to flee south, often walking for hours without food or water.

Humanitarian Disaster Getting Worse

International voices are warning that the situation is now unbearable. The Red Cross condemned Israel’s new plan, calling it “intolerable.”

The United Nations humanitarian office also raised the alarm. It said moving hundreds of thousands of people further south could be considered forcible transfer, which is against international law.

The UN explained that families are running without shelter, food, or medicine. Children, elderly people, and those with disabilities are suffering the most. Others remain completely trapped in northern areas, where aid cannot reach them.

Hospitals and aid organizations in northern Gaza have been told by Israel to start evacuating and move their services south. This has raised fears that life-saving medical care could collapse just when people need it most.

The Ceasefire Proposal Waiting on Israel

While the bombs continue to fall, mediators are still waiting for Israel’s answer to a ceasefire proposal that Hamas has already accepted.

The plan, supported by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, suggests that:

* 10 hostages and 18 bodies would be released first.

* More hostages would be freed in later stages, along with talks for a wider peace settlement.

Qatar said this latest version is “almost identical” to a proposal Israel had already agreed to in the past. Egypt also made it clear:

“The ball is now in Israel’s court.”

So far, Israel has not given a clear reply, while Hamas accused Israel of ignoring peace efforts by preparing to storm Gaza City.

How the War Started and Where It Stands

This war began in October 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly attack on southern Israel. That assault killed over 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and led to the capture of 251 hostages.

Since then, Israel has carried out a powerful offensive. According to health officials in Gaza, over 62,000 Palestinians have been killed, including many women and children. Thousands more are missing under collapsed buildings.

Of the original hostages taken by Hamas, 49 remain in Gaza, with 27 believed to be dead. Two short ceasefires in the past allowed some hostage exchanges, but no lasting solution has been found.

Growing Pressure on Israel

Inside Israel, the government’s decision to call up 60,000 more soldiers has caused concern among families of hostages. They fear that a direct assault on Gaza City could endanger the captives even more.

International organizations have also increased pressure, warning that this new offensive risks breaking what is left of Gaza’s humanitarian system. Diplomats and aid workers say the next few weeks could determine whether Gaza faces total collapse.

What Happens Next?

As Israel’s troops close in on Gaza City, the world is watching. Will Israel agree to the ceasefire and hostage deal, or will it move forward with a full ground assault?

For the people of Gaza, the choice may not matter much — because they are already living through bombings, hunger, displacement, and fear every single day. What they need most, many say, is safety and peace.