Israel has launched an operation to occupy Gaza City, claiming to have taken control of the city's periphery

The Israeli military announced that it has now taken control of the outer area of Gaza City in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, making military preparations for taking over Gaza City.

Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Efie Devlin said at a press conference on Wednesday (August 20) that three Israeli brigades are conducting operations in the Zaitun district on the outskirts of Gaza City and the Jebaliyah area near Gaza City. He also confirmed that the Chief of the General Staff of the Israeli Army, Zamir, has issued instructions to plan to issue conscription orders to about 60,000 reservists in early September, and an additional 20,000 conscription orders will be issued subsequently.

An Israeli Defense Ministry spokesperson told AFP on Wednesday that Defense Minister Katz had approved an Israeli military operation plan to take over Gaza City on the 19th and authorized the conscription of about 60,000 reservists to carry out the plan.

Xinhua News Agency, citing a report from the Jerusalem Post, said that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu may approve the Israeli military's operation plan to take over Gaza City on the 21st. The Prime Minister's Office issued a statement on the evening of the 20th saying that Netanyahu has instructed to shorten the operation schedule for seizing the remaining positions of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and "defeating" Hamas.

The Israeli Security Cabinet approved Netanyahu's plan to "defeat Hamas" on the 8th, and the Israeli army is preparing to take over Gaza City. This move has sparked opposition and condemnation both at home and abroad.

Hamas announced on the 18th that it has agreed to the latest proposal of the mediators Egypt and Qatar regarding a ceasefire plan in the Gaza Strip, which includes a 60-day ceasefire and the release of half of the detainees. According to The Times of Israel, Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Delmer said during his meeting with senior Qatari officials in Paris, France on the 19th that the condition for reaching a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip is the release of all detainees.

Meanwhile, the mediating countries that have pushed for a ceasefire in the nearly two-year war in Gaza are awaiting a response from the Israeli authorities to their latest proposals.