Israel’s Gaza City Offensive Escalates as 60,000 Reservists Mobilized and Humanitarian Crisis Worsens

On August 21, 2025, Israel launched the opening phase of a major military operation in Gaza City, signaling a new escalation in the ongoing conflict. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the mobilization of nearly 60,000 reservists, while ground units reinforced positions around the northern parts of the enclave. Heavy airstrikes and artillery fire pounded several neighborhoods, sparking mass displacement and raising fears of a devastating urban battle.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the humanitarian situation has reached critical levels. Hundreds have been killed or wounded in recent days, while 271 deaths — including 112 children — were recorded due to starvation and lack of medical supplies. Families in areas such as Sabra and Tuffah were forced to abandon their homes under bombardment, with thousands heading south in search of safety.

Israeli military officials describe the campaign as essential to dismantling Hamas’s command and administrative centers embedded within Gaza City. IDF spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin confirmed that Israeli troops were already operating on the outskirts and warned that the offensive would intensify. Israel continues to accuse Hamas of using civilian areas as military hubs, framing its actions as a necessity for national security.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts remain under way. Hamas has expressed conditional acceptance of a 60-day ceasefire, which includes staged prisoner swaps and expanded humanitarian access. However, Israel has not formally responded, insisting that no truce is possible until all remaining hostages are released. This deadlock underscores the deep divide between military realities on the ground and attempts at political negotiation.

At the international level, UN Secretary-General António Guterres repeated his urgent call for an immediate ceasefire. He warned that the humanitarian cost could become catastrophic if the offensive continues unchecked. Guterres also criticized Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank, describing it as a direct threat to any viable two-state solution. Aid agencies echoed similar warnings, reporting that Gaza’s hospitals are on the verge of collapse with limited electricity, scarce medicine, and overrun facilities.

The escalation has drawn global concern. U.S. President Donald Trump has been briefed on developments after recent meetings with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders. The European Union urged Israel to ensure humanitarian corridors while calling on Hamas to halt rocket fire. Despite these appeals, the battlefield situation reflects intensifying hostilities and worsening civilian suffering.

Israel’s Gaza City offensive is being viewed as a defining moment in the conflict — one that could reshape the region’s trajectory for years to come. For civilians trapped inside the besieged enclave, survival remains the most urgent priority amid airstrikes, shortages, and a political stalemate that offers little immediate relief.