GAZA CITY, Palestine: Israeli attacks killed at least 56 Palestinians, including 22 aid seekers, and injured 185 others across Gaza in the past 24 hours, the territory’s health ministry said on Wednesday, as the overall death toll from Israels 22-month military offensive rose to 62,122.
The ministry reported that at least three people died of starvation in the same period, bringing hunger-related deaths in the enclave to 269, including 112 children.
Medical staff at the Nasser Medical Complex, cited by Al Jazeera Arabic, said that three Palestinians were killed when an Israeli drone struck a tent in Khan Younis. The tent was sheltering people displaced by the ongoing Israeli military offensive.
Israeli plan to conquer Gaza City
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz has approved a military plan to seize Gaza City and authorised the call-up of around 60,000 reservists, AFP reported, citing a ministry spokesperson.
An Israeli military official, cited by Reuters, said that call-up letters for 50,000 reservists would be sent in the coming days, with mobilisation beginning in September. A further 20,000 troops currently serving will have their terms extended.
The official added that Israeli forces are already operating in Gaza City’s Zeitoun and Jabaliya neighbourhoods, preparing for an expanded assault in areas where Hamas is still believed to be active.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously said the operation aims to secure the release of remaining hostages and ensure Hamas and allied groups can no longer threaten Israel.
International reaction
French President Emmanuel Macron warned that Israel’s plan “can only lead to a complete disaster for both peoples” and risked dragging the region into “a permanent war.” He reiterated his call for an international stabilisation mission.
I have just spoken with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan and with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt.
We share the same conviction:
The military offensive in Gaza that Israel is preparing can only lead to disaster for both peoples and risks plunging the entire region…
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 20, 2025
Germany also voiced concern, with government spokesman Steffen Meyer telling reporters that Berlin “rejects the escalation” and questioned whether the offensive would achieve the release of hostages or a ceasefire.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid criticised the government’s move, saying on X that “60,000 reserve orders were issued this morning to realise the delusion of conquering Gaza.”
60,000 צווי מילואים הוצאו הבוקר בכדי לממש את הזיית כיבוש עזה. הממשלה הגרועה בתולדות המדינה ממשיכה להפלות בין דם לדם. ביד אחת מקדמת השתמטות וביד שנייה מכבידה את הנטל. לא ננצח איתם במלחמה.
— יאיר לפיד – Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) August 20, 2025
Humanitarian crisis deepens
The Gaza civil defence agency said its crews carried out 33 missions in the past 24 hours, including ambulance transfers, rescues and the recovery of bodies. Casualties were reported across Gaza City, Jabaliya, Khan Younis, Rafah and Nuseirat.
Save the Children regional director Ahmed Alhendawi described the situation as “nothing short of apocalyptic reality for children, for their families, and for this generation.”
Gaza’s government media office said that at least 18,885 children have been killed since October 2023.
Ceasefire efforts
Israel has yet to respond to a new ceasefire plan accepted by Hamas and backed by Qatar and Egypt.
The proposal includes a 60-day truce, a staggered hostage release, prisoner exchanges and increased humanitarian aid deliveries.
Netanyahu has insisted he will reject any deal that does not secure what he calls the “complete defeat of Hamas.”
Diplomatic friction has also grown between Israel and its allies. Netanyahu accused Macron of “pouring fuel on the antisemitic fire” by supporting Palestinian statehood recognition.
Netanyahu also labelled Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese “a weak politician” after Canberra announced similar plans.
Albanese responded that he treats other leaders “with respect” and had informed Netanyahu of Australia’s decision in advance.
War enters 22nd month
Israel’s offensive began after Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing around 1,200 people, and taking hostage 251 others.
Israel says 50 hostages remain in Gaza, of whom 20 are believed to be alive.
The Gaza health ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run administration, says women and children make up about half of the more than 62,000 killed since the war began.
