Gaza City, Aug 29 (AP) — Israel announced on Friday that it had officially declared Gaza's largest city as a dangerous combat zone, marking the commencement of what it described as the "initial stages" of a planned military offensive despite generating widespread international condemnation.
According to Israel's military, the prior mid-day pauses in fighting, which allowed essential food and aid supplies to enter from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., have been suspended. The military also reported retrieving the bodies of two hostages and asserted its commitment to continuing operations aimed at recovering more.
This transition follows weeks of Israel hinting at a broadened military campaign in Gaza City, where hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals are faced with famine conditions.
The re-initiation of constant combat marks the latest escalation, evidenced by recent military strikes in key neighborhoods of the city, alongside the mobilization of tens of thousands of reservists.
"We will intensify our strikes until we bring back all the kidnapped hostages and dismantle Hamas," stated Avichay Adraee, spokesperson for the Israeli army.
Bodies of Hostages Recovered — On Friday, Israel announced the military's recovery of two hostages' bodies, including that of Ilan Weiss, an Israeli killed during the October 7, 2023 attack, which initiated the conflict.
The bodies of Ilan Weiss from Kibbutz Be'eri and another unnamed hostage have been returned to Israel, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.
"The campaign to return the hostages continues continuously. We will not rest or be silent until we return all of our hostages home — both the living and the dead," Netanyahu declared.
Out of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas-led militants nearly 22 months ago, approximately 50 remain in Gaza, including 20 believed to be alive.
Israel's Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which has executed large-scale protests advocating for a ceasefire and the hostages' return, mourned the losses, urging Israeli leaders to focus on securing the return of both the living and the deceased.
"We call on the Israeli government to enter negotiations and stay at the table until every last hostage comes home. Time is running out for the hostages. Time is running out for the people of Israel who carry this burden," the statement read.
'Initial Stages' of Gaza City Offensive Begin — Last month, Israel had introduced “tactical pauses” in Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and Muwasi, facing sharp global criticism over the humanitarian conditions in the beleaguered region. On Friday, these pauses were suspended, though the military did not confirm whether residents or aid groups were notified before the announcement made at 11:30 a.m.
Historically, Israel has identified Gaza City as a stronghold of Hamas, featuring an extensive tunnel network that militants utilize even after numerous large-scale raids.
Gaza City also hosts vital infrastructure and health facilities. On Thursday, the United Nations warned that the territory might lose half of its hospital bed capacity should Israel proceed with its planned invasion.
The halt in pauses coincides with warnings from the global food security authority, labeling the situation in Gaza City as famine, a result of prolonged fighting, Israeli-imposed restrictions on aid, and exacerbated by widespread displacement and collapsed food production.
The Norwegian Refugee Council, coordinating aid groups in Gaza, noted logistical challenges posed by Israel's preparations for a large-scale ground offensive.
"We have faced unprecedented access and movement restrictions," explained spokesperson Shaina Low. "Intensified military operations are going to further hinder our ability to respond."
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, expressed concerns that the impending offensive might further displace up to a million people, including those already displaced.
"Any further escalation would deepen suffering and push more people toward catastrophe," the agency cautioned in a post on X.
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