Israeli Army Intensifies Attacks Across Gaza as Occupation Plan Advances
Israeli airstrikes since dawn killed at least 20 Palestinians, including children, in northern and central Gaza.
The Israeli army has stepped up its bombardment of northern and central Gaza, striking homes, refugee camps, and shelters for displaced civilians. The escalation, which has left dozens dead and wounded, comes as Defense Minister Israel Katz signed off on a military plan for the occupation of Gaza—a move that critics warn will deepen the humanitarian catastrophe already unfolding under blockade and war.
Civilian Toll Mounts
In Zeitoun, southeast of Gaza City, an airstrike on a building sheltering displaced families killed two and injured others.
West of Gaza City, a tent housing civilians was bombed, killing two more.
In Khan Younis, three were killed after an Israeli strike on a home.
Health officials report 266 deaths from starvation and malnutrition, including 112 children, as the siege continues.
Occupation Plan: Troop Surge and Escalation
Israeli media reported that Defense Minister Katz, alongside Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, approved an operation to seize control of Gaza. The plan involves:
- Mobilization of 60,000 new reservists.
- Extension of service for 20,000 soldiers by 40 days.
- Deployment of divisions to encircle Gaza City and enforce military control.
This aligns with Israel’s broader “Gideon Chariots II” strategy, criticized by humanitarian groups as a blueprint for a prolonged occupation without a clear political exit.
International Reactions and Accusations
The Gaza Health Ministry accused Israel of committing genocide, citing mass killings, starvation, and forced displacement since October 2023. International bodies, including the United Nations, condemned the prevention of aid deliveries, warning of famine amid Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian supplies.
With Gaza’s civilian population bearing the brunt of intensified bombardment and starvation, Israel’s push toward an occupation plan marks a grave escalation. As tens of thousands of troops prepare to enter the enclave, humanitarian agencies warn that the combination of siege, displacement, and urban warfare risks plunging Gaza into an even deeper disaster with no end in sight.