Israel is stepping up preparatory operations ahead of a military offensive to take control of Gaza City, a densely populated area in the northern Gaza Strip.
On August 15, the Israeli military announced that it has been conducting operations in the outskirts of Gaza City, specifically in the Zeitoun area, for the past few days.
The Israeli forces are carrying out missions such as explosive detection, neutralizing terrorists, and dismantling terrorist infrastructure. They reported having killed a “terrorist” who fired an anti-tank missile at these troops.
Additionally, over the past four weeks, the Yahalom unit, responsible for detecting and destroying tunnels, has sealed Hamas tunnels with a total length of 7 km in the Beit Hanoun area of northern Gaza.
On August 7, the Israeli Security Cabinet approved a plan, led by Prime Minister Netanyahu, to seize control of Gaza City.
Israeli Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi opposed the plan, warning that it could endanger the lives of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, but on the 13th, the cabinet ultimately approved the operational plan presented.
