Gaza Braces for Full-Scale Assault as Israel Prepares Operation to Seize Gaza City

Mass displacement looms over 800,000 residents amid escalating bombardment, humanitarian collapse, and fears of a “new war.”

Tensions in the Gaza Strip have reached a critical tipping point, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled the imminent launch of a full-scale military offensive aimed at capturing Gaza City one of the last remaining strongholds of Hamas. The Israeli military has reportedly informed international aid agencies and health organizations to prepare for the mass evacuation of nearly 800,000 Palestinians, warning them of an extensive operation set to begin by October 7.

The announcement has sparked renewed panic among civilians and humanitarian groups alike. Many residents say there is simply nowhere left to go, as overcrowded southern camps struggle to accommodate those already displaced by nearly two years of conflict.

Ahmed Al-Ajla, a 38-year-old lawyer from Gaza City's Al-Zaitoun neighborhood, voiced the helplessness of many: “There is nothing left. Even the tents are stacked on top of each other. If we’re forced out again, we’ll have nowhere to live.” The warnings come amid a sharp increase in aerial bombardment targeting neighborhoods across Gaza City, leading residents to describe the escalating violence as the “beginning of a new war.”

In central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah, a recent Israeli airstrike on a camp housing displaced Palestinians left the area in ruins. Survivors described receiving phone warnings from the Israeli army to evacuate, only to watch the camp destroyed minutes later. “There is nothing left not one tent, not one piece of clothing,” said Waleed Abu Muased, a resident of the destroyed camp. “We have nothing more to live in.” Footage from the scene showed civil defense workers sifting through charred belongings and makeshift shelters engulfed in flames. The UN and humanitarian groups fear that further escalation will render already-scarce healthcare and aid services completely inaccessible.

Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) warned that such a military campaign could “disrupt or destroy access to healthcare for the entire population of Gaza City.” Despite the dire warnings, some residents are refusing to leave. In a rare public protest, dozens gathered in Gaza City on Thursday to denounce what they see as forced displacement under the threat of violence.

“We tell the world: no to displacement,” said one protester. “If we leave Gaza, we will never return. This would be the final nail in our existence here.” Another man called on the international community specifically US President Donald Trump to intervene: “If you care about peace, stop the war in Gaza.”

The beginning of a new war

Netanyahu has vowed to move forward with plans to seize Gaza City, stating that the military is prepared to mobilize 60,000 additional reservists, while extending the service of 20,000 others.

“We are at the stage of decision,” he said. “I’ve instructed the defense forces to begin immediate preparations to take control of Gaza City and eliminate Hamas.” In response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reaffirmed its commitment to international law, stating it was targeting Hamas operatives while taking “feasible precautions to mitigate civilian harm.”

Nevertheless, international condemnation is mounting. UN Secretary-General António Guterres repeated his call for an immediate ceasefire, warning that a full-scale assault would bring “massive death and destruction.” Already on the brink, Gaza’s civilian population faces the growing threat of complete displacement, infrastructure collapse, and an unrelenting hunger crisis.

Displaced resident Zakaria Bakr summed up the growing fear: “They will commit massacres and bomb houses to send a message of terror. They want to force us out under fire. And when we go, they will starve those who remain.” With a looming deadline and escalating violence, the people of Gaza stand at a dangerous crossroads facing the specter of another devastating chapter in an already catastrophic conflict.