Israel Continues “Scorched Earth” Policy in Gaza Occupation Plan
In one of the world’s most densely populated cities, the Israeli military is advancing its "scorched earth" policy to occupy Gaza, forcing nearly one million Palestinians into displacement.
Kokcha News Agency – Israel’s plan to occupy Gaza City, a key phase of its nearly two-year-long genocidal war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, officially began yesterday.
The Israeli army has intensified its bombardment of Gaza City’s neighborhoods, particularly in the northern and southern eastern axes, forcing remaining Palestinians to evacuate.
This is part of the occupation plan dubbed “Gideon’s War Chariots 2,” which started in the Zaytoun neighborhood in the southeast of the city.
Since early yesterday morning, the Israeli military has escalated its attacks, coinciding with the declaration of Gaza City as a “dangerous combat zone.”
Dangerous Conditions:
A Palestinian security source stated that the situation in the eastern parts of Gaza City is rapidly deteriorating.
The source reported that the army is intensifying its attacks in the north and south, using snipers, explosive-laden vehicles, and drones to push Palestinians out.
The Israeli military has also been using loudspeaker-equipped drones to call on Palestinians to evacuate, while civilians remain under Israeli fire.
High-Risk Areas:
According to the same source, the Sheikh Ridwan neighborhood in Gaza City has been almost completely emptied due to two weeks of intense attacks.
The Abu Iskander junction in the east, once a safe haven for displaced people since the start of the war, has now been declared one of the most dangerous areas in Gaza City.
In the neighborhoods of Nezle, Abu Sharh Junction, and Juret al-Saftawi, Israeli military vehicles are making limited daily advances, leaving behind explosive devices before retreating.
In Saftawi, most Palestinians have fled, making entry into the area nearly impossible.
“Gideon’s War Chariots 2” Operation:
Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz approved the “Gideon’s War Chariots 2 Operation” on August 21, aimed at occupying Gaza City.
The operation follows large-scale attacks launched in the Zaytoun neighborhood, extending to the Sabra neighborhood.
Simultaneously, the Israeli army began operations in the northern parts of Gaza City, including the neighborhoods of Jabaliya al-Balad, al-Nezle, al-Saftawi, and Sheikh Ridwan.
For several days, the Israeli military has also been targeting densely populated areas east of Sheikh Ridwan, using drone fire, residential bombings, and direct attacks on civilians.
Since early August, over 1,500 homes in Zaytoun have been destroyed as a result of Israeli attacks.
Explosive Robots for Destruction:
The Israeli army has converted damaged armored personnel carriers into explosive-laden robotic traps to target facilities and infrastructure.
These robots are placed around homes and detonated, causing widespread destruction hundreds of meters away, with the sound of explosions heard kilometers away.
During the genocide, the eastern part of Sheikh Ridwan had become a refuge for thousands of displaced families. However, under intense fire, they have been forced to flee to the west or south of Gaza.
Plan to Halt Humanitarian Aid:
Israeli state television KAN reported yesterday morning that Israel is preparing to halt the aerial delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza City in the coming days.
This move is seen as an attempt to force hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to flee south ahead of an expected ground invasion.
Increasing Displacement:
Amid intense clashes in the east, north, and south of Gaza City, Palestinians are fleeing dangerous areas under tragic conditions, with dozens forced to sleep on the streets in the western part of the city.
Despite hours of displacement, many Palestinians are unable to find shelter or tents after leaving their homes and makeshift camps in the north of Gaza City.
Due to transportation shortages and worsening economic conditions, many Palestinians cannot afford the cost of migrating to the southern regions of the Gaza Strip.
Palestinians fear that the crisis of survival caused by famine and displacement will worsen due to the lack of basic necessities, and they are bracing for intensified Israeli attacks in the coming days.
Background:
The Israeli government approved a plan on August 8, proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to gradually reoccupy the entire Gaza Strip, starting with Gaza City.
With U.S. support, Israel has been carrying out genocidal policies in Gaza since October 7, 2023, including massacres, starvation, destruction, and forced displacement, while ignoring all international calls and orders from the International Court of Justice to halt its operations.
As a result of the genocide, 63,025 Palestinians have been killed, 159,490 injured (mostly women and children), over 9,000 are missing, hundreds of thousands have been displaced, and 322 Palestinians, including 121 children, have died due to ongoing famine.
