IDF Chief of Staff approves Gaza City offensive amidst growing humanitarian concerns

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. General Eyal Zamir has approved the general outline for the military’s upcoming major Gaza City offensive. The military said the “main concept” for the operation was discussed by Zamir and top military and security officials. Zamir had reportedly pushed back against the plan, and has feuded with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz in recent days. 

The IDF also stressed the importance of the readiness and preparedness for call up. He also said he would carry out refreshers and provide breathing rooms for soldiers ahead of the mission, which is not set to begin right away. This comes on top of new heavy IDF operations that began in Gaza City’s Zeitoun and Shejaiya neighborhoods. 

A 51-year-old female resident of Gaza City’s Tal Al-Hawa neighborhood told AFP by phone that “the explosions were massive,” adding “there are many airstrikes and tanks are advancing in the southern area of Tal Al-Hawa with drones above our heads.” The resident later added that she saw civilians fleeing to the Western area of the city. 

Amidst a record-breaking heatwave in the region, efforts to increase aid flow into the strip, the spokesperson for COGAT said Wednesday that nearly 320 trucks carrying humanitarian aid entered via the Kerem Shalom and and Zikim crossings. The IDF also said that 119 pallets of humanitarian aid were airdropped into the strip on Wednesday, with each pallet containing one ton of food. Airdrops were re-adopted recently amidst a growing wave of international criticism. Airdrops are only able to deliver a small fraction of what can go into Gaza by land, and poses a safety risk for civilians. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has not provided a precise timetable for when troops will enter Gaza city. An estimated one million Palestinians, half of Gaza’s population, have taken refuge in Gaza city after fleeing previous offensives.