Gaza City, Palestine, August 29, 2025
A Dangerous Combat Zone has been declared by the IDF as a major assault is prepared on Gaza City, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
The Israeli military announced today that it is launching the “initial stages” of a planned offensive to seize the Palestinian territory’s largest population center, suspending the daily “tactical pauses” that had previously allowed for the distribution of humanitarian aid.
This move has been met with immediate international condemnation and has raised serious concerns about the safety of the civilian population.
Major News headlines;
* Tactical Pauses Suspended:
Humanitarian pauses in Gaza City are halted, raising fears of a deepening humanitarian crisis.
* Civilian Displacement and Famine:
The UN warns that an expanded assault could forcibly displace up to one million people already struggling with famine and lack of resources.
* International Condemnation:
European ministers and aid organizations condemn the planned offensive, citing the risk to civilians and the endangerment of hostages’ lives.
* Hostage Recovery:
The IDF announced the recovery of the bodies of two hostages from within the enclave as the offensive began.
The decision to declare Gaza City a “dangerous combat zone” signals an intensified military campaign aimed at what the IDF claims is the last stronghold of Hamas. In a statement on X, the IDF confirmed that the tactical pauses in military activity, which had been in place to facilitate aid delivery, would no longer apply to the area. This has drawn sharp criticism from humanitarian groups, who have warned that the move will deepen the suffering of a population already ravaged by famine and displacement.
The Norwegian Refugee Council noted that civilians, weakened by hunger and repeated displacements, cannot withstand further bombardment.
Reports from residents indicate continuous overflights by Israeli warplanes, with explosions and fires erupting in various neighborhoods across the city, including Al-Karama and Al-Saftawi.
The military had previously urged civilians to evacuate the city and move south, calling the evacuation “inevitable.” However, aid organizations, including the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), have warned that such an offensive could forcibly displace up to one million people, many of whom have nowhere safe to go. Residents expressed desperation, with many having been forced to flee their homes multiple times.
The offensive comes as the war has entered its 23rd month, with a staggering human toll. According to Gaza’s health ministry, over 63,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, with at least 59 deaths reported in the last 24 hours alone.
The UN has consistently warned that the Gaza Strip is facing catastrophic conditions due to a full blockade, leading to widespread disease and the collapse of essential services.
Amidst the military escalation, the IDF announced the recovery of the body of Ilan Weiss, one of the hostages taken on October 7, 2023.
The remains of a second, unidentified hostage were also recovered. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed the assault is the best way to weaken Hamas and return the remaining hostages, many hostage families have voiced concerns that a ramped-up military operation could endanger the lives of those still held captive. The UK government has also taken a stance, blocking Israeli officials from attending a major defense exhibition, citing disagreement over the escalation of the conflict.
