Skip next section Israeli military chief greenlights Gaza offensive
08/13/2025August 13, 2025
Israeli military chief greenlights Gaza offensive
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir on Wednesday dropped his opposition to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans for a massive military ground operation in the Gaza Strip.
An IDF statement said Zamir had “approved the main framework for the IDF’s operational plan in the Gaza Strip.”
Zamir had earlier voiced opposition to the plan due to the risks it presented for IDF soldiers as well as the Israeli hostages still held by Hamas.
Wednesday’s announcement follows an Israeli Security Cabinet decision last week ordering the offensive, which is aimed at taking complete control of Gaza City and destroying Hamas cells that Israel says are operating in Gaza’s main refugee camps.
Though no timetable was given for the ground offensive, , with Hamas-affiliated health officials claiming that 123 people have been killed there over the past 24 hours.
Gaza’s civil defense agency, which is also controlled by Hamas, said Israeli bombardments have included “very heavy airstrikes targeting civilian homes, possibly including high-rise buildings.”
https://p.dw.com/p/4yv66
Skip next section Welcome to our coverage08/13/2025August 13, 2025
Welcome to our coverage
Hello and welcome to DW’s coverage of developments in Gaza on Wednesday, August 13, 2025.
Our coverage begins with an Israeli military chief approving a controversial plan for an expanded ground offensive in the Gaza Strip as Hamas negotiators traveled to Egypt for talks about ending the war and returning hostages still held by the terror outfit.
The day also brings more reports of Palestinian civilians killed by Israeli gunfire as they attempted to get food for their families.
https://p.dw.com/p/4yv2t
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