Defense minister of Israel green-lights strategy to seize control of Gaza City
The ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, which resumed in August 2025, are proceeding with caution. This marks the first such negotiations since December 2023, following a prior ceasefire from January to March 2025. However, the current status of the negotiations remains uncertain, with no official Israeli response given yet to the latest ceasefire proposal.
In the meantime, the Israeli military has already begun operations in the Zeitoun and Jabalia neighbourhoods of Gaza City, signalling the initial stages of a planned offensive. The main forces operating in Gaza will be active duty troops, who will focus their efforts on Gaza City.
The call-up of approximately 50,000 reservists, with drafts beginning in September, further suggests that Israel is preparing for escalated military operations rather than a path toward immediate de-escalation. Historically, reservist call-ups have been associated with heightened conflict intensity, reducing prospects for immediate peace.
The ongoing issue in Gaza, which involves a nearly two-year war between unspecified parties, adds complexity to the negotiations. Despite this, Qatar, one of the mediators, has expressed guarded optimism about the latest ceasefire proposal.
It is worth noting that the Israeli defense ministry has confirmed reports about the ongoing issue in the media. A senior Israeli official has also stated that the government is firm on the release of all hostages in any agreement. However, no new information has been provided about the status of the ceasefire proposal or the Israeli response to it, or about any other official statements or updates from the Israeli defense ministry or government.
At present, the prospects for a durable ceasefire remain fragile, with the military mobilization through reservists complicating the ceasefire efforts and putting additional pressure on Hamas during ongoing negotiations. The international community continues to watch closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
[1] Source: Various news reports from August 2025.
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