Overview
- Israeli armor moved into the Sabra district on Gaza City’s edge as strikes hit areas including Zeitoun and Jabalia, with local medical officials reporting dozens of deaths, among them at least eight children and people sheltering in tents or searching for food.
- The security cabinet is slated to convene Tuesday to consider formal approval for the city’s capture, while the IDF says the operation is in expansion with reservists due in early September and a deeper push forecast around mid‑September, according to Israeli media.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu has rejected a staggered hostage-release proposal and maintains an ultimatum for the war to end only with the release of all captives and Hamas disarmament; Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Gaza City could be destroyed if conditions are not met.
- UN agencies have issued a famine emergency warning for Gaza, with UNRWA’s Philippe Lazzarini urging immediate access and accusing Israeli policies of fueling starvation as reports cite children dying of hunger.
- Domestic pressure is mounting as families of hostages lead mass protests and a Maariv/Lazar poll finds 62% believe the government has lost public trust; hardline ministers clashed with the IDF over tactics, and President Trump’s claim that fewer than 20 hostages are alive was countered by Israeli officials who say 20 are alive, two in critical condition.