Gaza Strip,- September 4, 2025
In a major escalation of the nearly two-year conflict, Israel has launched the second phase of its offensive to occupy Gaza City, pushing ground troops and tanks deeper into the besieged Palestinian urban center. The high-stakes military operation, aimed at what Israeli officials call the complete dismantling of Hamas, comes as domestic dissent intensifies, with thousands of Israelis staging a “day of disruption” amid widespread protests calling for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. The dual reality of a war intensifying abroad while opposition grows at home presents Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government with a defining challenge.
According to a formal announcement by Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir on Wednesday, the military has entered “the second phase of Operation ‘Gideon’s Chariots'” to fulfill the war’s objectives. The offensive, which was approved by Israel’s Security Cabinet on August 8, is part of a plan to gradually reoccupy the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military has intensified both air and ground assaults on Gaza City, declaring it a “dangerous combat zone” and urging the approximately one million residents to evacuate to the south.
Reports from the ground, including from witnesses speaking to Reuters, paint a grim picture of the assault. Israeli forces have moved into crowded neighborhoods like Sheikh Radwan, where they have reportedly dropped grenades on schools used as shelters for displaced Palestinians. The military has also detonated explosives to destroy homes and bombed a medical clinic, raising grave concerns from humanitarian organizations. The Israeli military, in its statement, maintained that its operations are focused on “terrorist organizations” and “removing any threat” to Israel.
As the military offensive rages on, Israel is facing a growing wave of public unrest. On Wednesday, thousands of Israelis took to the streets in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv for a “day of disruption,” blocking major highways and staging demonstrations outside government buildings. The protests were organized by a coalition of anti-government groups and hostage families, who accuse the government of prioritizing the military campaign over a deal to secure the release of the remaining 48 hostages, 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
Protesters, many of whom have family members still held in Gaza, chanted slogans like “You abandoned and you killed,” a direct reference to what they see as Prime Minister Netanyahu’s failure to protect them on October 7 and his subsequent refusal to make a deal to bring the hostages home. The protests represent a growing schism in Israeli society, with opposition leaders and reservists joining the calls for a ceasefire and a change in government. Opposition leader Yair Lapid, while condemning the violence of some protesters, stated, “I condemn much more a government that abandons hostages to their deaths in Gaza.”
The military’s decision to press on with the offensive, despite the public outcry, signals the government’s firm belief that military pressure is the only way to achieve its objectives. However, critics, including former Israeli officials and military strategists, have warned that a full-scale occupation of Gaza City risks a prolonged and costly urban war that could endanger the hostages’ lives and lead to an unmanageable post-war reality. The international community, including the UN and countries like France and the UAE, has also expressed deep concern over the offensive and the humanitarian crisis it has exacerbated.
Headline Points
* Second Phase Launched: Israel has begun the second phase of its military offensive to occupy Gaza City, pushing ground forces and tanks deeper into the urban center.
* Military Objectives: The operation, dubbed “Gideon’s Chariots,” is aimed at dismantling Hamas and is part of a broader plan to reoccupy the Gaza Strip.
* Widespread Protests: Thousands of Israelis staged a “day of disruption” and protests in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, demanding an end to the war and the release of all hostages.
* Calls for Government Resignation: Protesters, including hostage families, are accusing Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government of failing to secure a ceasefire deal.
* Humanitarian Concerns: The offensive has raised alarm among humanitarian groups over the safety of the nearly one million Palestinians in Gaza City.
