Israel said Saturday it will move Palestinians from northern Gaza to the south as the military prepares an expanded offensive on Gaza City, which it describes as Hamas’ last major stronghold.
“In accordance with the directive of the political echelon, and as part of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) preparations to move the population from combat zones to southern Gaza for their protection, the supply of tents and shelter equipment to Gaza will resume tomorrow,” Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said in a statement.
“The aid will be transferred through the Kerem Shalom Crossing by the UN and international organizations, following a thorough security inspection. We will continue to act in accordance with international law in order to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip,” COGAT added.
It is unclear when the planned operation to seize the entire Gaza City will begin. However, limited operations near the city are underway. On Friday, the Israeli military said it destroyed dozens of “terror targets” in a new assault on Zeitoun, on the outskirts of Gaza City.
כוחות אוגדה 99 החלו לפעול במרחב זיתון שבפאתי העיר עזה
לכל הפרטים:https://t.co/ULiw3dEDNb pic.twitter.com/dEuzKJT1rn
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) August 15, 2025
Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed plans for Israel to take full control of the Gaza Strip, saying the objective is to eliminate Hamas, rescue the hostages, and eventually transfer governance to Arab authorities.
During a visit to the Gaza Strip on Sunday morning, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said the military will approve “the plan for the next stage of the war” later in the day.
Meanwhile, in Israel, hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv late Sunday to protest the expanded operations in Gaza and demand the release of 50 hostages still held there. Reports said the crowd had swelled to more than 300,000, making it one of the largest coordinated demonstrations since the conflict began nearly two years ago.
Israeli protesters demanding a deal to free hostages in #Gaza have attempted to shut down the country in one of the largest and fiercest protests in 22 months of war. #Palestine https://t.co/fwgJnOTbNq pic.twitter.com/F18l5o5Au0
— Arab News (@arabnews) August 18, 2025
MASSIVE: Hundreds of thousands filled Hostages Square in Tel Aviv today, demanding an immediate end to the war in Gaza and a deal to bring the hostages home.
And yes, these are the protests Israel’s PM, Finance Minister, and National Security Minister, dismiss as “Hamas… pic.twitter.com/JGflNDNXxK
— Hamza (@HowidyHamza) August 17, 2025
