Xinhua
21 Aug 2025, 00:15 GMT+10
JERUSALEM, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Israel launched a new offensive on Gaza City on Wednesday aimed at defeating Hamas, a move that has drawn international criticism over its impact on civilians in the devastated enclave.
The IDF has begun the next stage of the operation, in line with "the directive of the political echelon," military spokesman Effie Defrin said. He said ground assaults were already under way in Gaza City's Zaytun neighborhood and the nearby town of Jabalia, with more forces set to join the fighting.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the push was intended to "defeat Hamas and conquer Gaza City." The army said it now holds "operational control" over about 75 percent of the Gaza Strip, after repeated offensives that have left much of its largest urban center in ruins.
Israel's cabinet is expected to meet later this week to give final approval to the plan. The military said 60,000 reservists had been called up, with another 20,000 to follow in the coming days.
"We will deepen the damage to Hamas in Gaza City, a stronghold of governmental and military terror," Defrin said, pledging to destroy infrastructure "above and below ground" and sever civilian reliance on the group. He said 22 months of fighting have already reduced Hamas from "a military group" to "a battered and bruised guerrilla organization."
Israeli strikes over the past 24 hours killed at least 58 people and wounded 185 others, Gaza health officials said. They said at least 62,122 people have been killed since the war began, including 266 who died of hunger, among them 112 children.
Get a daily dose of Arab Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Arab Herald.
More InformationFriendship with China is the cornerstone of Afghanistan's foreign policy, Muttaqi said, noting that Afghanistan attaches great importance...
New Delhi [India], August 20 (ANI): The Uttarakhand Minority Educational Institutions Bill, 2025, has been passed in the Uttarakhand...
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], August 20 (ANI): A class eighth student died during treatment after he was stabbed during a quarrel with...
New Delhi [India], August 20 (ANI): Revolutionary Socialist Party MP N.K. Premachandran on Wednesday described the Constitution (130th...
New Delhi [India], August 20 (ANI): Amid Congress' relentless campaign against alleged electoral malpractice, Bharatiya Janata Party...
Chamoli (Uttarakhand) [India], August 20 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met the security personnel deployed...
IRBIL, Iraq: Iraqi authorities have launched the excavation of a site south of Mosul believed to contain one of the largest mass graves...
JERUSALEM, Israel: Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have staged one of the largest demonstrations since the Gaza war began, demanding...
JERUSALEM, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Israel launched a new offensive on Gaza City on Wednesday aimed at defeating Hamas, a move that has...
ABU DHABI, 20th August, 2025 (WAM) -- In cooperation with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Arab Emirates has conducted...
Tel Aviv [Israel], August 20 (ANI/TPS): Israel is preparing to perform the world's first-ever human spinal cord implant using a patient's...
New Delhi [India], August 20 (ANI): Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes that the Indian selectors and management didn't do justice...
