New genocide phase: Israeli forces begin second occupation of Gaza
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The Israeli occupation army launches the second phase of “Gideon’s Chariots,” starting maneuvers to encircle Gaza City with reserves and heavy airstrikes.
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Israeli soldiers stand on the top of armoured vehicles parked in an area near the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, August 20, 2025. (AP)
The Israeli occupation forces announced on Wednesday evening the start of the second phase of its “Gideon’s Chariots (B)” military operation in the Gaza Strip, launching preliminary maneuvers to encircle Gaza City.
According to the military spokesperson, the 162nd Division has begun operations from Jabalia in the northwest as part of a broader plan to tighten the siege on the city. The statement said the campaign may take an extended period, but could also be halted depending on political directives. It added that the maneuvers are being carried out by conscript units supported by 133,000 reserve soldiers.
At the same time, occupation authorities issued a statement to the settlers of the Gaza Envelope warning of the possibility of hearing heavy explosions and artillery fire “from now on.”
The operation is widely viewed as part of the broader ethnic cleansing plan against Gaza’s population, aiming to depopulate the city through siege, destruction, and forced displacement under the guise of military maneuvers.
Two-phase plan to capture Gaza City
Israeli media, including the Kan 11 public broadcaster, reported that the plan is designed to unfold in two main phases over the course of four months.
In the first phase, the occupation forces aim to establish so-called “humanitarian zones” with limited infrastructure in the south of the Strip, creating conditions for a mass evacuation of civilians from Gaza City. This would be followed by a ground maneuver to complete the encirclement of the city while continuing evacuations.
The second phase is set to involve the gradual entry of occupation forces into Gaza City itself, with a slow advance supported by sustained air strikes and artillery shelling until the city is fully captured.
IOF approve occupation of Gaza City
Israeli Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has approved plans to occupy Gaza City, spanning two phases: a first phase involving evacuating and blockading the city, while the second phase entails a gradual, slow military entry into the urban area.
Israeli media reported on Sunday that the Israeli army's Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, has approved plans to occupy Gaza City, with Channel Kan stating that the plan is divided into two phases and expected to take four months to execute, according to Israeli estimates.
On August 7, the Israeli cabinet approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan, which includes the occupation of Gaza City, though the meeting was marked by sharp tensions as Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir raised multiple concerns, including warnings of a grave and imminent threat to Israeli captives held in the strip, only to have all his objections dismissed by the council members.
Among Zamir's key concerns is that after occupying Gaza City, the Israeli military anticipates facing guerrilla warfare operations by Hamas within the controlled areas, requiring meticulous planning to maintain dominance while minimizing these risks.
