Israel has begun ground operations in Gaza City, ordering hundreds of thousands of remaining civilians to flee south. The military described this as the “preliminary” stage of a broader plan to take control of the city.
Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said IDF forces were already holding positions on the outskirts. Despite widespread destruction from earlier airstrikes, Israel maintains the city remains a Hamas stronghold. Hamas accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of blocking ceasefire efforts to continue what it called a “brutal war.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged an immediate ceasefire, warning of worsening humanitarian crises. Speaking in Japan, he also condemned Israel’s settlement expansion in the West Bank. The International Committee of the Red Cross also warned that further forced displacement would deepen Gaza’s already “catastrophic” conditions, according to dw.com
The IDF announced plans to summon 60,000 additional reservists while extending service for 20,000 already deployed. This represents the largest call-up in months and signals a major escalation.
International groups estimate tens of thousands of civilians have died in the conflict, including 19,000 children. The move comes amid domestic protests demanding a ceasefire and prioritization of hostage releases.
Iran, meanwhile, began its first military exercises since its 12-day war with Israel earlier this year. Navy vessels fired missiles at targets in the Gulf of Oman during drills in the Indian Ocean, state media reported.
While described as routine, the maneuvers are seen as a show of force following Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites. Iranian forces have also previously seized Western ships in regional waters following the collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal.
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