Israel carpet bombs Gaza City as army approves occupation plan

Israel's army approved the occupation of Gaza City on Wednesday, estimating that between 80,000 and 100,000 reservists will need to be mobilised for the initial plan.

Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir's decision comes after several discussions - initiated by Benjamin Netanyahu's government - on the imminent occupation of the besieged enclave.

“The chief of staff emphasised the importance of raising force readiness, preparing for reserve mobilisation and allowing a recovery period before the next missions,” a statement by the army read.

Zamir has previously expressed strong opposition to the occupation and had even threatened to resign, as tensions continue between him and Minister of Defense Israel Katz, among other proponents of the plan.

Reports of Israel's security cabinet approving the occupation of the Gaza Strip came last Friday.

The operation is set to begin with the conquest of Gaza City, with the aim of ethnically cleansing it of its approximately one million Palestinian residents.

An Israeli official told Axios that the plan aims to empty Gaza City of civilians within two months.

A siege would then be imposed on the city, targeting Hamas members, followed by a ground operation.

While the official statement referred to the move as a "takeover", Israeli news outlet Ynet reported that the term "occupy" was deliberately avoided to sidestep the legal obligations associated with formal occupation under international law.

A senior Israeli official told local media that the word choice was for official purposes only, confirming that the actual intention is to occupy the Gaza Strip.

Demolitions, killing and displacement

Despite a global backlash from human rights groups, activists and even governments, Israeli authorities have made headway in what many fear is a plan to annex the blockaded strip.

The current assault on the Zeitoun neighbourhood, located in Gaza's Old City, has killed dozens of Palestinians and demolished more than 300 homes in just three days.

“Gaza City is now being blatantly decimated in front of the eyes and ears of the world.”

Mahmoud Bassal, the spokesperson for Gaza Civil Defence, appealed to the global community on Wednesday, urging action as Israel continues to destroy Gaza City pic.twitter.com/DPIQoPbRIh

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) August 14, 2025

Local media reports have described "systematic" shelling and demolitions by Israeli forces.

According to Mahmoud Bassal, spokesperson for the Civil Defence in Gaza, the attacks focused on a multi-storey building with five or more floors.

The force of the explosions has caused surrounding structures to collapse.

"Demolitions were carried out without prior warning, and intense bombardment prevented rescue teams from reaching the wounded," he said, further highlighting fears that many civilians could remain trapped under the rubble. 

Bassal added that the city is "now being blatantly decimated in front of the eyes and ears of the world", as he called for an end to the nearly 700-day genocide. 

Since Israel's genocide began on 7 October 2023, Israeli troops have launched several ground assaults in Gaza City and across the strip.

The death toll among Palestinians has risen to at least 61,776, leaving over 154,906 others wounded, according to recent figures from the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza.