An Israeli tank near Israel’s border fence with the Gaza Strip on Aug. 19, 2025. Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it had begun the first steps of an operation to take over Gaza City, Gaza Strip, on Aug. 20.
“We 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,” Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, Israel’s military spokesperson, told reporters.
