Israel declares Gaza City combat zone, halts humanitarian pauses

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have declared Gaza City a combat zone, with local tactical pauses in military operations no longer in effect from 10:00 on August 29.

In a statement, the IDF said the move was made in line with the current situational assessment and directives from Israel’s political leadership, Caliber.Az reports per IDF.

The army added that it would continue to support humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip while carrying out ongoing manoeuvres and offensive operations against militant groups, with the stated aim of protecting the security of Israeli citizens.

To recall, tens of thousands of Palestinians are fleeing Gaza City as Israel prepares its next major offensive, which could uproot nearly a million people still sheltering there. Israel has labelled the city Hamas’s final stronghold and vowed to press ahead with operations.

Many families have already been displaced multiple times, facing worsening shortages of food, water and medicine. Some residents, however, say they will not leave, fearing that Gaza itself could be erased.

Israel’s far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has called for annexation and cutting off resources to force Hamas’s surrender — proposals condemned by the United Nations, which continues to push for a ceasefire and safe humanitarian access.

By Aghakazim Guliyev