Israel's military announced the local tactical pause no longer applies to Gaza City, declaring the entire city a dangerous combat zone. The military has not ordered civilians to evacuate even as about 80% of Gaza is under evacuation orders and most civilians are concentrated in one-fifth of the territory. Attacks have intensified around Gaza City amid preparations for a ground operation that allies and humanitarian groups warn could be catastrophic for hundreds of thousands of civilians. Gaza's health ministry reported five deaths from malnutrition and 59 killed by strikes in 24 hours. The military recovered the remains of hostage Ilan Weiss and another unnamed hostage. Israel had briefly paused fighting daily and eased its blockade after international pressure, but measures were insufficient to meet aid needs.
Israel's military will no longer pause fighting to allow aid deliveries in Gaza City, a military spokesperson has said, in a decision likely to deepen the famine already gripping the north of the territory. Israeli forces have been stepping up attacks in and around Gaza City as the military prepares for a ground operation that humanitarian groups and many of Israel's closest allies have warned will be catastrophic for hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians already struggling to survive hunger, disease and Israeli attacks.
The whole city was now considered a dangerous combat zone, the military said, although Israel has not ordered civilians to evacuate. About 80% of Gaza is under evacuation orders, with civilians crammed into just one-fifth of its total area. Even those areas are not safe, with Israeli attacks targeting parts it has labelled humanitarian zones. The Israeli military described the attacks now under way as the initial stages of a planned operation, although military chiefs are reportedly still arguing with the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu,
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