Israel’s navy stated Friday that it had launched the “initial stages” of a deliberate offensive to grab Gaza Metropolis, declaring the Palestinian territory’s largest inhabitants heart a “dangerous combat zone.” The Israel Protection Forces stated it was suspending every day “humanitarian pauses” within the combating in Gaza Metropolis, which have allowed meals and different assist supplies to be introduced in through the sunlight hours.
As Israel pressed forward with its deliberate enlargement of the battle towards Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in an announcement that the physique of Ilan Weiss — among the many 251 folks taken hostage through the Hamas-led, Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist assault that sparked the battle in Gaza — had been recovered from the enclave.
Netanyahu stated the physique of a second hostage had additionally been returned to Israel and was being recognized by forensic groups.
Israeli officers, together with Netanyahu, had made their plans to push into Gaza Metropolis clear for weeks. The enlargement of the battle, which was introduced together with an expanded call-up of 60,000 Israeli navy reservists, drew worldwide condemnation from the second it was introduced.
Palestinian youngsters stand close to tents for displaced folks in Gaza Metropolis, Aug. 29, 2025, because the battle between Israel and Hamas continues.
BASHAR TALEB/AFP/Getty
France, Britain, Canada and Australia have criticized Netanyahu’s plans for the sweeping offensive in Gaza Metropolis, and so they have all just lately introduced that they are going to acknowledge a Palestinian state.
Tens of hundreds of Israeli residents have additionally taken to the streets to protest and demand that Netanyahu strike a cope with Hamas to safe the protected launch of the remaining hostages, about 50 of whom stay in Gaza, and 20 of whom are nonetheless believed to be alive.
Hostage relations had been among the many leaders of a motion that organized a one-day nationwide strike on Aug. 16, which coincided with extra avenue protests that includes chants of: “We don’t win a war over the bodies of hostages.”
Many hostage households have voiced concern that the surviving hostages’ lives might be endangered by ramped-up navy operations in Gaza’s largest metropolis. Others, nevertheless, suppose extra navy strain will result in Hamas’ downfall.
Netanyahu and his cupboard have additionally been unmoved by criticism from inside and out of doors of the nation.
“We will intensify our strikes until we bring back all the kidnapped hostages and dismantle Hamas,” Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated Friday.
Netanyahu’s most essential ally, President Trump, has pushed for an finish to the battle, however centered largely on what comes after the combating. He has not explicitly backed or voiced objection to an expanded navy assault on Gaza Metropolis.
Pictures posted on social media Friday morning appeared to point out massive explosions within the neighborhood of Gaza Metropolis.
The world has been harboring lots of of hundreds of displaced individuals who have fled combating — and now famine, which Israel denies — elsewhere within the decimated Palestinian enclave.
A person pulls a trolley loaded with belongings as displaced Palestinians flee from one space to a different inside Gaza Metropolis, amid an increasing Israeli navy operation, Aug. 29, 2025.
Dawoud Abu Alkas/REUTERS
Town can also be house to among the little essential infrastructure and well being services nonetheless standing in Gaza. On Wednesday, the IDF warned folks in Gaza Metropolis to depart and head additional south, calling an evacuation of the town “inevitable.”
Because the battle in Gaza nears the top of its second full 12 months, worldwide strain has been rising on Netanyahu’s authorities to convey an finish to the battle and permit in additional humanitarian assist.
In keeping with the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Well being, Israel’s battle in Gaza has killed 63,025 folks. The ministry doesn’t distinguish between combatants and civilians in its figures.
Israel disputes the demise toll reported by Palestinian officers, however the United Nations says it’s the most dependable rely out there as Israel has not permitted impartial journalists to enter Gaza and function freely for the reason that battle started.
Tucker Reals
contributed to this report.
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