Israel on the verge of capturing Gaza City, 62,622 people killed so far

Israeli forces have taken control of the outskirts of Gaza City, the largest urban center in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza. The troops are now advancing towards Jabalia in the northern region, intensifying their ground operations. Air, drone and bomb attacks have also intensified.

Al Jazeera reported, citing the Gaza Health Ministry, that in the past 24 hours, as of Saturday evening (August 23), the bodies of 61 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks and 308 injured Palestinians had been brought to hospitals. In the past 22 months of the war, which began on October 7, 2023, the death toll has reached 62,622, and at least 157,673 people have been injured. In addition, eight more people, including two children, have died from Israeli-imposed starvation and malnutrition. As a result, a total of 281 people, 114 of whom were children, died in a full-scale famine declared by the United Nations.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been conducting a final military operation, dubbed "Gideon's Chariot-2," since early Wednesday (August 20) to take control of Gaza City. In preparation for this, an extensive operation was carried out for 10 days from August 11. During that period, the army carried out heavy bombardment, "planned destruction" of the city's homes, and forcibly displaced about one million Palestinians, including refugees. The IDF says this is the first step in capturing the city.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army has begun sending out call-up orders for another 60,000 reserve soldiers after Defense Minister Israel Katz approved plans to capture the city. The IDF had previously announced that it would call up 60,000 reserve soldiers to fight in Gaza City and that the regular troops fighting would also be increased.

Israeli army spokeswoman Effie Defrin said the mobilization of troops will begin on September 2. The army's reserve force will be increased to 130,000 in preparation for a "prolonged operation lasting several months" by the middle of next year. To this end, an additional 60,000 reserve troops have been called up and the term of several battalions has been extended. At the same time, new orders have been issued to evacuate residents from the northern part of Gaza City.

Sources at Al-Ahly Arab Hospital told Al Jazeera that 16 of those killed and 111 injured by Israeli fire on Saturday were seeking aid at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) relief centers. This brings the total number of aid seekers killed to 2,076 and more than 15,308 injured since Israel launched a new aid distribution system through the US-based GHF on May 27.