Israel launches second phase of Gaza ground assault
Shafaq News – Gaza (Updated at 1:15)
Israel has entered the second phase of Gideon’s Chariots, launching a ground offensive into Gaza, army spokesperson Effie Defrin announced on Wednesday.
Defrin told Israeli reporters that forces have pushed into Gaza City, securing its outskirts. He said the army’s 99th Division is operating in al-Zaytoun in southeastern Gaza City, where troops uncovered a Hamas tunnel, while other units prepare to advance on Jabalia after sustained bombardment.
The spokesperson confirmed that the military has called up 60,000 additional reservists starting in September, extended several battalion deployments, and issued new evacuation orders for northern Gaza City following earlier directives in al-Sabra and al-Zaytoun, while also claiming the army is providing limited humanitarian aid during the campaign.
אושרה הוצאת צווי מילואים במסגרת השלב הבא במבצע ״מרכבות גדעון״במסגרת ההערכות לשלב הבא במבצע ״מרכבות גדעון״ הוצאו הבוקר כ-60,000 צווי מילואים. בנוסף, 20,000 אנשי מילואים שגויסו, יקבלו הודעה על הארכת הצו הנוכחי. ההחלטה בנושא המילואים התקבלה לאחר דיונים מעמיקים על מסגרת הסד״כ…
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) August 20, 2025
On a possible truce deal after Hamas agreed to the latest ceasefire proposal, he noted, “The agreement lies with the political leadership. We are prepared to achieve the objectives of the campaign and intensify the damage inflicted on Hamas in Gaza City whenever instructed.”
In turn, Hamas condemned the new phase as an escalation of “genocide” against nearly one million residents and displaced civilians sheltering in Gaza City, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of sabotaging mediation efforts and vowing Israel would “fail as it has in past offensives.”
The group urged international mediators to increase pressure on Israel, warning that the offensive aims to “destroy what remains of life in Gaza.” It held both Israel and the US fully responsible for the humanitarian toll.
Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) posted on X that further displacement and intensifying hostilities risk worsening an already catastrophic situation, with more than 80% of Gaza under evacuation orders.
Further displacement and an intensification in hostilities risk worsening an already catastrophic situation.With more than 80% of Gaza already impacted by evacuation orders, it is unimaginable that civilians could be compelled to move to an even smaller area. pic.twitter.com/8XB5i0cvxf
— ICRC in Israel & OT (@ICRC_ilot) August 20, 2025
