On August 21, 2025, the Israeli military announced plans for a massive escalation in its campaign against Hamas, confirming it would call up 60,000 reservists in preparation for seizing control of Gaza City. This move, reported by multiple outlets including NPR and The Guardian, marks one of the largest mobilizations since the conflict erupted in October 2023 and comes amid mounting international concern over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.
According to Israeli military spokesperson Effie Defrin, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have “begun the preliminary operations and the first stages of the attack on Gaza City, and already now IDF forces are holding the outskirts of Gaza City.” Israeli troops clashed with Hamas fighters on August 20 and 21, with the offensive intensifying as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accelerated the timeline for taking control of Hamas strongholds. Netanyahu’s office stated that the prime minister had sped up efforts to defeat the militant group, a move that some analysts believe is designed to pressure Hamas in ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
The mobilization of reservists is expected to begin in early September, giving mediators a narrow window to broker a deal between Israel and Hamas. As NPR reported, Israel is currently considering a new offer for a two-month ceasefire with Hamas, a proposal that has reportedly received a positive response from the militant group. However, Hamas has condemned Israel’s plans to conquer Gaza City, accusing Israeli leaders of “blatant disregard” for international efforts to broker a truce.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza City has deteriorated rapidly. Mustafa Qazzaat, chief of the Gaza municipality’s emergency committee, described the conditions as “catastrophic,” with large numbers of residents fleeing eastern neighborhoods. The destruction has been particularly severe in the Zeitoun district, where, according to resident Anis Daloul, “the Israeli military has destroyed most of the buildings in Zeitoun and displaced thousands of people.” Daloul, 64, recounted the relentless bombardment: “The house shakes with us all night long—the sound of explosions, artillery, warplanes, ambulances, and cries for help is killing us. The sound is getting closer, but where would we go?”
International organizations and foreign governments have voiced alarm at the escalation. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza on August 21, warning of the “death and destruction that a military operation against Gaza City would inevitably cause.” His call echoed growing concerns about the rising death toll and the worsening humanitarian crisis. According to Gaza health officials cited by The Guardian, more than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli war in Gaza since the deadly Hamas attacks in October 2023.
Israel’s actions have also drawn sharp criticism for developments beyond Gaza. On August 21, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned Israel’s approval of a new illegal settlement block in the West Bank, describing it as a “flagrant breach of international law.” The plan, championed by Israeli far-right minister Bezalel Smotrich, would split the West Bank in two, a move widely interpreted as aiming to end any prospect of a future Palestinian state. The Israeli military also reported a security incident near the Malachei HaShalom settlement in the West Bank, although details remained under review at press time.
While the Israeli government pushes forward militarily, the situation on the ground in Gaza grows ever more desperate. Reports from residents and aid organizations describe relentless bombardments overnight, with smoke rising over neighborhoods such as Jabalia and Zeitoun. Displacement is rampant, and conditions in shelters—often UNRWA schools—are dire. The risk of further mass casualties and starvation looms large as the fighting intensifies.
The international response has not been limited to diplomatic condemnation. On August 20, a group of 17 US Senators sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging the United States to press Israel to grant access and protection to journalists in Gaza. The letter followed an Israeli strike that killed six journalists, including four from Al Jazeera and two freelancers, in the besieged territory the previous week. The senators wrote: “The United States must make it clear to Israel that banning and censoring media organizations and targeting or threatening members of the press is unacceptable and must stop.” They called on the US to “press the Israeli government to protect journalists in Gaza and allow international media to access the territory.”
Meanwhile, the conflict’s reverberations continue to be felt across the region. Iran, having suffered heavy losses during the recent 12-day war with Israel—including the destruction of much of its air defense systems and ballistic weapon stockpiles—launched its first military exercise since the war. The “Sustainable Power 1404” drills, reported by Iranian state television, involved navy vessels firing cruise missiles and drones at targets in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Oman. The Iranian Defense Ministry declared, “Any new adventure by the enemy will be faced with a strong slap.” The exercise was seen as an attempt by Iran to reassert its military strength and regional influence after significant setbacks.
Back in Gaza, the human cost of the conflict is starkly evident. The UN and aid agencies have repeatedly warned of famine conditions, with food, water, and medical supplies running perilously low. The relentless violence has forced tens of thousands to flee their homes, seeking refuge wherever they can—often with little success. The plight of civilians has spurred advocacy efforts far beyond the region. On August 20-21, nine Palestinian students with full scholarships to British universities were informed that the UK government is working to facilitate their evacuation from Gaza. Dr. Nora Parr, a University of Birmingham researcher coordinating support for the students, expressed mixed emotions: “On the one hand, relief that indeed there is a shared sense of the importance and urgency of the students’ situation—and on the other our hearts sank. What about the rest? We must believe that this is only a start.”
As Israel’s military campaign intensifies and the humanitarian disaster deepens, the prospects for a negotiated ceasefire remain uncertain. With tens of thousands of reservists poised to join the fight and international voices calling for restraint, the coming weeks may prove decisive for both the future of Gaza and the broader Middle East.
