Defense Minister Israel Katz approved the IDF plan to seize Gaza City presented by Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and the IDF General Staff on August 20. Katz declared that once the operation, code-named Chariots of Gideon II, ends, Gaza will be unrecognizable. In other remarks, he warned that “Gaza will soon look like Beit Hanoun and Rafah” and that “the gates of hell will shortly open for Hamas’s murderers and rapists.”
Katz’s statements, echoed by other Israeli security officials, have fueled growing fears in Gaza that Israel intends to follow through on the plan. These fears have been reinforced by the silence of the international community and the absence of any political horizon for the Strip. Gazans also see that Israel already controls 75 percent of the territory and remains determined to achieve its war aims, above all the release of all hostages.
Palestinian and Arab media report daily on IDF operations in Gaza, describing widespread fear and uncertainty about the future while also emphasizing the destruction and casualties caused by Israeli strikes.
Since August 11, IDF forces have mounted intense operations in the Zeitoun and Sabra neighborhoods in southern Gaza City, leading to the ecvacuation of more than 90,000 residents. In recent days, the army has also advanced into Jabalia, completing the encirclement of Gaza City from the northeast. Many Gazans view these moves as preparations for the takeover of the city.
Approval of the Plan
On August 20, Katz formally approved the plan to seize Gaza City, Chariots of Gideon II, as presented by IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and senior command. The defense minister said the plan and the IDF’s preparations are in line with the cabinet decision to capture the city and create the conditions to end the war, freeing all hostages, dismantling Hamas’s military capability and expelling its leaders, demilitarizing Gaza, establishing a security buffer to protect Israeli communities, and preserving the army’s freedom of action. Katz added that once the operation ends, Gaza will be transformed beyond recognition.
Katz has repeated these themes since, warning that “Gaza will soon look like Beit Hanoun and Rafah” and that “the gates of hell will soon open for Hamas’s rapists and murderers.”
The Mood on the Gazan Street
Palestinian and Arab outlets have extensively covered IDF operations in Zeitoun and Sabra since August 11, including airstrikes and tank fire against buildings and targets in both neighborhoods.
The Palestinian news agency Wafa reports daily on what it calls massive Israeli bombardments there, releasing video clips that show heavy strikes and plumes of smoke.[1] Wafa has also reported mass civilian displacement from Zeitoun and Sabra and noted the establishment of tent camps along Gaza’s seashore.[2] According to Gaza’s Civil Defense, controlled by Hamas, more than 400 homes in Zeitoun have been destroyed and more than 90,000 people displaced.
IDF strikes in Gaza, August 28, 2025. Photo credit: IMAGO / Anadolu Agency.
Residents interviewed by Wafa said there is no safe place left in Gaza and called for an immediate end to the war. They said they want to live in dignity and peace, stressing that life in Gaza today is not worth living. Some said Gaza is in ruins and that they want the war over because it has destroyed their lives.
On August 21, Gaza journalist Nour Swirki told the Saudi channel Al-Sharq NOW that Israel is maintaining military pressure while expanding operations in Zeitoun, Sabra, and now Jabalia, north of Gaza City. She reported that residents there had been ordered to evacuate immediately. According to Swirki, the IDF is slowly tightening its siege of Gaza City, with the eastern side already under full Israeli control. The purpose, she said, is to set the stage for the next phase of the IDF operation, a full takeover of the city.[3]
IDF operations in Jabalia, northern Gaza (IDF X account).[4]
On August 20, Mohammed Hamo, the Gaza correspondent of Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hadath channel, reported live that Israeli declarations about conquering Gaza had triggered widespread fear and anxiety. He said thousands of residents had fled Zeitoun and Sabra, leaving the neighborhoods nearly empty.[5]
Displaced residents from Zeitoun told Al-Jazeera that neither the Gaza municipality nor any other authority was helping them where they had taken shelter. They said they were forced to walk long distances to fetch water and described living in constant fear of airstrikes and tank shelling.
Monitoring of social media commentary from Gaza shows broad agreement among residents of the Strip that Israel intends to implement its plan to gradually complete a full takeover of Gaza City. According to the comments, the indications are as follows:[6]
Expansion of ground operations: Gazans believe that repeated IDF incursions into Zeitoun and Sabra — with forces remaining for days and destroying infrastructure — are proof that this is not a time-limited operation and that Israel intends to hold territory.
Mass destruction and displacement: Many in Gaza view the scale of destruction and the displacement of thousands of residents as preparation for establishing new facts on the ground, such as a military administration. One Zeitoun resident said, “In every alley and street of the neighborhood, there are bodies.”
No political horizon: Gazans believe that with no prospect of negotiations or an IDF withdrawal from the Strip, Israel’s goal is not only to defeat Hamas but to impose full security control.
Concerning Israeli statements: Declarations by senior Israeli officials about creating an alternative civil administration or demilitarizing Gaza deepen fears that Israel has a comprehensive plan for direct or indirect rule of the territory.
International silence: Gazans note the lack of strong international reaction, which they believe encourages Israel to proceed with its plans unhindered.
Maj. (res.) Avi Tal is a graduate of Unit 8200 in IDF Military Intelligence and formerly served in the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) unit as an advisor on Arab affairs. He spent 12 years as a researcher on the Palestinian arena at the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center (ITIC). He holds a bachelor's degree in Arabic and Middle Eastern studies and a master's degree in Arabic from Bar-Ilan University.
The war in Gaza is about how the October 7 attack will be remembered in...
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Home page / Articles / On the Eve of the Battle for Gaza City: The View from the Gazan Street
On the Eve of the Battle for Gaza City: The View from the Gazan Street
Photo: IMAGO / Xinhua.
Key Points
Defense Minister Israel Katz approved the IDF plan to seize Gaza City presented by Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and the IDF General Staff on August 20. Katz declared that once the operation, code-named Chariots of Gideon II, ends, Gaza will be unrecognizable. In other remarks, he warned that “Gaza will soon look like Beit Hanoun and Rafah” and that “the gates of hell will shortly open for Hamas’s murderers and rapists.”
Katz’s statements, echoed by other Israeli security officials, have fueled growing fears in Gaza that Israel intends to follow through on the plan. These fears have been reinforced by the silence of the international community and the absence of any political horizon for the Strip. Gazans also see that Israel already controls 75 percent of the territory and remains determined to achieve its war aims, above all the release of all hostages.
Palestinian and Arab media report daily on IDF operations in Gaza, describing widespread fear and uncertainty about the future while also emphasizing the destruction and casualties caused by Israeli strikes.
Since August 11, IDF forces have mounted intense operations in the Zeitoun and Sabra neighborhoods in southern Gaza City, leading to the ecvacuation of more than 90,000 residents. In recent days, the army has also advanced into Jabalia, completing the encirclement of Gaza City from the northeast. Many Gazans view these moves as preparations for the takeover of the city.
Approval of the Plan
On August 20, Katz formally approved the plan to seize Gaza City, Chariots of Gideon II, as presented by IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and senior command. The defense minister said the plan and the IDF’s preparations are in line with the cabinet decision to capture the city and create the conditions to end the war, freeing all hostages, dismantling Hamas’s military capability and expelling its leaders, demilitarizing Gaza, establishing a security buffer to protect Israeli communities, and preserving the army’s freedom of action. Katz added that once the operation ends, Gaza will be transformed beyond recognition.
Katz has repeated these themes since, warning that “Gaza will soon look like Beit Hanoun and Rafah” and that “the gates of hell will soon open for Hamas’s rapists and murderers.”
The Mood on the Gazan Street
Palestinian and Arab outlets have extensively covered IDF operations in Zeitoun and Sabra since August 11, including airstrikes and tank fire against buildings and targets in both neighborhoods.
The Palestinian news agency Wafa reports daily on what it calls massive Israeli bombardments there, releasing video clips that show heavy strikes and plumes of smoke.[1] Wafa has also reported mass civilian displacement from Zeitoun and Sabra and noted the establishment of tent camps along Gaza’s seashore.[2] According to Gaza’s Civil Defense, controlled by Hamas, more than 400 homes in Zeitoun have been destroyed and more than 90,000 people displaced.
Residents interviewed by Wafa said there is no safe place left in Gaza and called for an immediate end to the war. They said they want to live in dignity and peace, stressing that life in Gaza today is not worth living. Some said Gaza is in ruins and that they want the war over because it has destroyed their lives.
On August 21, Gaza journalist Nour Swirki told the Saudi channel Al-Sharq NOW that Israel is maintaining military pressure while expanding operations in Zeitoun, Sabra, and now Jabalia, north of Gaza City. She reported that residents there had been ordered to evacuate immediately. According to Swirki, the IDF is slowly tightening its siege of Gaza City, with the eastern side already under full Israeli control. The purpose, she said, is to set the stage for the next phase of the IDF operation, a full takeover of the city.[3]
On August 20, Mohammed Hamo, the Gaza correspondent of Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hadath channel, reported live that Israeli declarations about conquering Gaza had triggered widespread fear and anxiety. He said thousands of residents had fled Zeitoun and Sabra, leaving the neighborhoods nearly empty.[5]
Displaced residents from Zeitoun told Al-Jazeera that neither the Gaza municipality nor any other authority was helping them where they had taken shelter. They said they were forced to walk long distances to fetch water and described living in constant fear of airstrikes and tank shelling.
Monitoring of social media commentary from Gaza shows broad agreement among residents of the Strip that Israel intends to implement its plan to gradually complete a full takeover of Gaza City. According to the comments, the indications are as follows:[6]
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyqipYTHHWg&ab_channel=WafaAgency
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeHIYh-9sc4&ab_channel=WafaAgency
[3] https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1431373364981169
[5] https://x.com/idfonline/status/1959496015007842492
[5] https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1431373364981169
[6] http://www.aa.com.tr/ar/%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84/%D9%81%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%AC%D8%AB%D8%AB-%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D9%83%D9%84-%D9%85%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%AD%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%BA%D8%B2%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%A5%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A/3220383?utm_source=chatgpt.com
http://www.alaraby.com/news/%D8%A3%D9%83%D8%AB%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%86-30-%D8%B4%D9%87%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%8B%D8%A7-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%BA%D8%B2%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%AA%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%B3%D9%81-%D8%A3%D8%AD%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A9?utm_source=chatgpt.com
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Maj. (res.) Avi Tal
Maj. (res.) Avi Tal is a graduate of Unit 8200 in IDF Military Intelligence and formerly served in the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) unit as an advisor on Arab affairs. He spent 12 years as a researcher on the Palestinian arena at the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center (ITIC). He holds a bachelor's degree in Arabic and Middle Eastern studies and a master's degree in Arabic from Bar-Ilan University.
Recent publications
The Importance of Conquering Gaza City
Iran’s Cryptocurrency Economy in Crisis: Financial Implications of Cyberattacks on the Nobitex Exchange
Israel’s Strategic Goals and the Aims of the War
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