Israel has started to capture Gaza City 

The IDF has released details of its “Gideon Chariots 2” plan to seize Gaza City, approved last night by the Defense Minister:

1. Forces in action: Five divisions will operate in the Gaza Strip, including the IDF’s three main standing divisions alongside reserve forces. At the peak of the maneuver, 12 brigades (brigade combat teams) will be active inside Gaza City, nine standing brigades plus three additional reserve brigades. Preparatory operations have already begun with targeted missions in the Zeitoun neighborhood and Jabalia village in recent days.

2. Civilian evacuation: In the coming days, the IDF will begin moving Gaza City residents southward, opening designated humanitarian corridors to allow safe passage. Additional aid distribution centers and field hospitals will be set up, and existing hospitals will be reinforced. Evacuation will not include security screening of individuals, as the IDF says “it is impossible to vet populations of this size one by one.”

3. Reservist mobilization: 60,000 new reservists will be called up in addition to the 70,000 already serving. At the height of operations, 130,000 reservists will be deployed simultaneously. Most of the new call-ups, issued today under emergency orders, will report on September 2 to allow time for family arrangements after the summer break. Reservists are expected to serve for several months, until October–November, followed by additional call-up waves later this year and into early 2026.

4. Prolonged campaign: The IDF is preparing for an extended operation lasting several months and continuing into 2026. The military emphasizes the Chief of Staff’s determination to decisively defeat Hamas. “If there’s a deal, we’ll adjust, but if not, we will press forward according to plan,” officials said.

5. Extended service periods: In addition to new mobilizations, the service time of currently active reservists will be lengthened by 30–40 days beyond the standard 70–80 days. Some reserve units may reach up to 140 days of service.

6. Urban combat challenges: The IDF reports that Gaza City still hosts an operational Hamas brigade with “limited capabilities,” alongside extensive underground tunnel networks that Israeli forces have not yet maneuvered through.

There have been other grand plans regarding Gaza, many of which have been canceled at the last moment. It seems likely that this is a last-ditch effort to force Hamas to come back to the negotiating table. On the other hand, and contrary to what he has been advised, Netanyahu seems determined to push ahead with the Gaza City plan.

According to Israel Realtime, Israel is preparing humanitarian infrastructure in the south, to accomodate the soon-to-be displaced Gaza City residents. Plans include additional aid distribution sites, at least two new field hospitals and the reopening the European Hospital in Khan Younis, previously shut after an IDF raid uncovered a Hamas tunnel beneath it

A security official confirmed: “Talks have begun with international organizations to recruit them to establish additional field hospitals in the south, and there is a positive response to this.” The UN is also working on reopening the European Hospital as part of the expanded medical response.

This is how it's going to play out: Phased Offensive Strategy:

1. Evacuation warnings for civilians.

2. Encirclement of Gaza City by IDF forces.

3. Full ground entry, targeting neighborhoods still harboring Hamas infrastructure.

According to veteran journalist Suleiman Maswadah, this is what Netanyahu thinks about the ongoing hostage release negotiations and Israel's Gaza Strategy:

Gaza City Operation Push: The Prime Minister remains convinced that military operations in Gaza City must begin, even if initially symbolic. From Netanyahu's perspective, such action could pressure Hamas while signaling to coalition partners Smotrich and Ben-Gvir that he is serious about his intentions to capture the city.

Partial Deal Concerns: Multiple cabinet members believe a partial agreement could secure the release of hostages (at least 8 individuals). However, they warn this approach may diminish prospects for freeing those who would remain in captivity.

Comprehensive Deal Resistance: Netanyahu is not currently pursuing a single comprehensive agreement and remains unwilling to accept Hamas's conditions for ending the war, at least not until Gaza City operations commence.

UPDATE: According to Arabic media reports, leaflets calling for civilian evacuation have been distributed in the northern Gaza Strip, specifically targeting residents of the Jabaliya area. More than that,