Israel Declares Gaza City a Combat Zone as Hostage Bodies Recovered
Date: August 29, 2025
By: News Desk
Israel on Friday announced the launch of the “initial stages” of its planned military offensive to capture Gaza City, officially designating the area as a “dangerous combat zone.” The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also confirmed the suspension of daily humanitarian pauses, which previously allowed limited aid deliveries into the war-torn enclave during daylight hours.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that the body of Ilan Weiss, one of the hostages taken during Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack, had been recovered. He added that the remains of a second hostage were also returned and are being examined by forensic experts.
The expansion of the operation comes with the call-up of 60,000 Israeli military reservists — a move that has drawn strong condemnation from several countries, including France, Britain, Canada, and Australia. All four nations recently announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Israelis have staged protests demanding that Netanyahu secure the safe release of the remaining hostages, around 50 of whom are still in Gaza. Families of the captives argue that the intensified military action could put their loved ones at further risk. On August 16, a nationwide strike led by hostage families echoed their demands with chants declaring: “We don’t win a war over the bodies of hostages.”
Despite the growing criticism, the Israeli leadership insists it will continue the offensive. “We will intensify our strikes until we bring back all the kidnapped hostages and dismantle Hamas,” IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated.
U.S. President Donald Trump, Israel’s key ally, has urged a long-term resolution but has refrained from directly opposing the Gaza City assault.
Social media posts on Friday displayed large explosions across the city, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians remain. The enclave continues to suffer from famine and severe shortages of health facilities, with Israel denying accusations of blocking aid.
As the conflict nears its second year, international calls for a ceasefire and expanded humanitarian access are intensifying. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 63,000 people have been killed since the war began. Israel disputes these figures, but the United Nations considers them the most reliable available due to restrictions on independent journalism inside Gaza.
