Thousands of Palestinians are fleeing Gaza City after the Israeli military launched the next stage of its ground offensive, despite widespread international condemnation.
Brigadier General Effie Defrin said that IDF troops had begun circling the outskirts of Gaza City as part of the first stages of its new assault.
Israeli forces have escalated shelling on Sabra and Tuffah neighbourhoods, as hundreds of Palestinians fled Zeitoun and Sabra.
Following a clash with Hamas south of Khan Younis in the strip on Wednesday, the IDF spokesman said: “We will deepen the attack on Hamas in Gaza City, a stronghold of governmental and military terror for the terrorist organization.”
Hamas, in a statement on Telegram, accused Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing the ceasefire deal in favour of continuing a “brutal war against innocent civilians in Gaza City.”
It comes as Israel said it would call up to 60,000 reservists for the new offensive and other heavily populated areas of the war-torn Gaza Strip.
More than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed since 7 October 2023, according to the enclave’s Hamas-run health ministry.
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Key Points
- Israel has taken its first steps of an operation to take over Gaza City
- Thousands of Palestinians flee intense assault on Gaza City
- Hamas accuses Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing the ceasefire deal
- Israel approves controversial settlement project in the occupied West Bank
- IDF admits 'failure' in Hamas attack on Gaza base: reports
Turkish ports require ships to declare they have no links to Israel: shipping sources
14:30
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Steffie Banatvala
Turkish ports are informally requiring shipping agents to provide letters confirming vessels have no ties to Israel and are not carrying military or hazardous cargo bound for the country, two shipping sources were cited as saying by Reuters.
The instruction applies nationwide, though no official circular has been issued.
Photos: Displaced Palestinians fleeing northern Gaza, heading South following Gaza City operation
14:00
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Steffie Banatvala
Watch: Aftermath of Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah
13:15
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Steffie Banatvala
Photos: Palestinians wait to receive food from a charity kitchen, in Khan Younis
12:49
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Steffie Banatvala
Famine in Gaza is 'deliberate': UNRWA chief
12:45
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Steffie Banatvala
Earlier, we brought you news that the head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency warned that malnourished children in Gaza could die without immediate emergency aid during Israel’s Gaza City operation.
Philippe Lazzarini has added: “It is a manufactured and fabricated famine. It is deliberate. Food has been used as an instrument of war.”
In May, a global hunger monitor said that half a million people in the Gaza Strip faced starvation but stopped short of using the term famine.
It is a manufactured and fabricated famine. It is deliberate. Food has been used as an instrument of war.
Philippe Lazzarini
Only 250 of expected 1,800 aid trucks entered Gaza over past 3 days: local officials
12:30
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Steffie Banatvala
Just 250 of an expected 1,800 aid trucks entered Gaza over the past three days, Gaza’s government media office said on Telegram.
It added that “vital food items” are still being blocked, including eggs, nutritional supplements, meat, dairy products, fruit and vegetables.
Malnourished children may die amid Gaza City operation: UNRWA chief
12:15
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Steffie Banatvala
The head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency warned that malnourished children in Gaza could die without immediate emergency aid during Israel’s Gaza City operation.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini has said that data shows a six-fold increase in the number of children suffering from malnutrition in Gaza City since March.
“We have a population that is extremely weak that will be confronted with a new major military operation,” he told a Geneva press club meeting.
“Many will simply not have the strength to undergo a new displacement."
“If there is no crisis plan, then they (the children suffering from malnutrition) will certainly be condemned.”
Two Palestinians die of starvation in last 24 hours: local officials
12:00
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Steffie Banatvala
Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry has said two Palestinians starved to death over the past 24 hours.
“This brings the total number of victims of starvation and malnutrition to 271, including 112 children,” it said in a post on Telegram.
It comes as Gaza’s government media office said just 250 of an expected 1,800 aid trucks entered Gaza over the past three days.
Death toll rises to 70 Palestinians in past 24 hours: local officials
11:56
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Steffie Banatvala
At least 70 Palestinians died in the last 24 hours and a further 356 wounded people arrived at hospitals, the Hamas-run health ministry said.
Eighteen of the Palestinians who died were seeking aid, it said.
“A number of victims remain under the rubble and on the streets, as ambulance crews and civil defence teams are unable to reach them at this time,” it added in a post on Telegram.
Photos: Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah
11:45
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Steffie Banatvala
Thousands of Palestinians flee intense assault on Gaza City
10:56
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Steffie Banatvala
Thousands of Palestinians are fleeing their homes as Israel's troops established a foothold on the outskirts of Gaza City, home to more than a million people.
Hundreds of people in the neighbourhoods of Zeitoun and Sabra fled towards the north-west of the city amid reports of relentless bombardments overnight.
Israeli forces have also escalated shelling on the Sabra and Tuffah neighbourhoods.
On Wednesday an IDF spokesman said troops were operating in Zeitoun and Jabalia areas already, laying the groundwork for the offensive.
Photos: Funeral of Palestinians killed by Israeli fire and strikes in Gaza City
10:30
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Steffie Banatvala
IDF admits 'failure' in Hamas attack on Gaza base: reports
10:16
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Steffie Banatvala
The IDF has said it was a “failure” that Hamas gunmen yesterday breached an army encampment in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, even though the soldiers fought back successfully.
The gunmen emerged from a known tunnel just 40–50 meters away and breached a building where troops were stationed, an updated IDF probe of the incident was cited as saying in the Times of Israel.
Mapped: Which countries recognise Palestine as a state?
10:00
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Steffie Banatvala
Earlier, we brought to you the news that the US Ambassador to Israel blamed a breakdown in Gaza ceasefire talks on the decision by some European leaders to recognise Palestinian statehood.
Here, The Independent maps out which countries recognise or plan to recognise Palestine as a state:
US ambassador blames Europe for stalled Gaza talks
09:50
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Steffie Banatvala
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Wednesday blamed a breakdown in Gaza ceasefire talks on the decision by some European leaders to recognise Palestinian statehood.
“If they believe that unilaterally calling for a two-state, a Palestinian state recognition, immediately brings them closer, the sad truth is it's taking them further away,” he said.
The decisions were announced by France, Britain and other countries as Trump envoy had already walked away from negotiations in frustration.
Netanyahu doubles down on attack on Australia's Albanese
09:45
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Steffie Banatvala
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ramped up personal attacks on Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese over his government's decision to recognise a Palestinian state, saying Albanese's political record had been damaged forever.
“I think his record is forever tarnished by the weakness that he showed in the face of this Hamas terrorist monsters,” Netanyahu told Sky News Australia.
Relations between the two countries have worsened since Albanese announced last week his government would conditionally recognise Palestinian statehood, following similar moves by France, Britain and Canada.
In full: Israel says new military offensive to take over Gaza City has begun
09:34
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Steffie Banatvala
Photos: Israel strikes Gaza city
09:33
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Steffie Banatvala
Israel has taken its first steps of an operation to take over Gaza City
09:31
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Steffie Banatvala
Palestinians are fleeing Gaza City after the Israeli military said it had taken the first steps of a planned operation to take over the city, despite widespread condemnation of the move.
Brigadier General Effie Defrin said that IDF troops had begun circling the outskirts of Gaza City as part of the “first stages” of its new offensive.
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in the city are expected to be ordered to evacuate.
Mr Netanyahu’s planned offensive triggered global outrage when first announced with UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer saying it will “only bring more bloodshed”.
Hamas accuses Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing the ceasefire deal
09:30
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Steffie Banatvala
In a statement on Telegram, Hamas accused Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing the ceasefire deal in favour of continuing a “brutal war against innocent civilians in Gaza City.”
“Netanyahu's disregard for the mediators' proposal ... proves that he is the real obstructionist of any agreement.”
Israel approves controversial settlement project in the occupied West Bank
09:29
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Steffie Banatvala
Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Wednesday announced the approval of a controversial settlement project in the E1 area of the occupied West Bank that he said would erase any prospect of a Palestinian state.
“The Palestinian state is being erased from the table not with slogans but with actions,” Mr Smotrich, who is a settler, said on Wednesday.
E1 is an open tract of land east of Jerusalem and is a major geographical link between Bethlehem and Ramallah.
It comes as Mr Netanyahu faces pressure from far-right ministers to reject a temporary ceasefire and pursue annexation of the territory.
UN chief repeats calls for 'immediate ceasefire'
09:19
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Steffie Banatvala
It is vital to reach immediately a ceasefire in Gaza and the unconditional release of all hostages, and to avoid the massive death and destruction that a military operation against Gaza would inevitably cause.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) August 21, 2025
Simultaneously, the decision by the Israeli authorities to expand… pic.twitter.com/oqf6q6vo5N
At least 58 Palestinians died in last 24 hours: local officials
09:18
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Steffie Banatvala
At least 58 Palestinians died in last 24 hours and a further 185 wounded people arrived at hospitals, the Hamas-run health ministry said.
“A number of victims remain under the rubble and on the streets, as ambulance crews and civil defence teams are unable to reach them at this time,” it added in a post on Telegram.
Live: Palestinians flee Gaza City as Israel begins new military offensive
09:09
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Steffie Banatvala
09:07
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Steffie Banatvala
Meet the Israeli teens refusing Netanyahu’s war on Gaza
09:06
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Steffie Banatvala
The Israeli military is facing a refusal crisis, from youths burning draft papers to reservists refusing to turn up for duty, writes chief international correspondent Bel Trew: