IDF declares famine-hit Gaza Metropolis a fight zone, ending ‘tactical pauses’ that allowed restricted meals supply
The Israel Protection Forces (IDF) has declared Gaza Metropolis “a harmful fight zone” because the army prepares for an assault on the shattered stays of Gaza’s largest metropolis.
In a post on X, the IDF wrote:
In accordance with the situational evaluation & directives of the political echelon, beginning at the moment at 10:00, the native tactical pause in army exercise won’t apply to the realm of Gaza Metropolis, which constitutes a harmful fight zone.
The IDF continues supporting humanitarian efforts whereas conducting operations to guard Israel.
Planes and tanks have reportedly been pounding components of Gaza Metropolis over the previous week and Israeli tanks and armored autos have been deployed to its outskirts.
Round a million Palestinian folks, lots of whom are too frail or previous to maintain transferring, are anticipated to be displaced by Israel’s expanded assault within the space, the place a UN-backed meals physique declared earlier this month {that a} famine was going down.
Key occasions
It’s the final day of recess for the British parliament and, as MPs put together to go again to Westminster, a reminder that the UK’s prime minister Keir Starmer mentioned in July that the nation will formally recognise the state of Palestine this September until Israel abides by a ceasefire and commits to a two-state answer within the Center East.
An official government statement issued on 29 July evening mentioned the UK would recognise Palestine on the UN basic meeting until Israel agrees to a ceasefire, makes it clear it won’t annex the West Financial institution, and “takes substantive steps” to finish the humanitarian disaster in Gaza together with by permitting the UN to provide support. This successfully requires Israel to revive the prospect of a two-state answer, an concept that Benjamin Netanyahu has lengthy rejected.
Recognition is a symbolic step however one that will infuriate the Israeli authorities, which argues that it could encourage Hamas and reward terrorism. It’s in impact a proper, political acknowledgment of Palestinian self-determination – with out the necessity to have interaction in thorny practicalities reminiscent of the placement of its borders or capital metropolis. It additionally permits the institution of full diplomatic relations.
Israel says it has recovered physique of hostage Ilan Weiss and one different individual
Israel has recovered the physique of hostage Ilan Weiss from the Gaza Strip, Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace has confirmed.
The physique of a second individual, whose identification has not but been cleared for publication, was additionally retrieved, the assertion added.
In a tribute to Weiss, Israeli president Isaac Herzog wrote in a post on X:
692 days after he was brutally kidnapped along with his spouse Shiri and their daughter Noga, Ilan’s physique was recovered in a joint IDF and Shin Wager operation. A second of deep sorrow, but additionally of closure.
Ilan confirmed braveness and noble spirit when he fought the terrorists on that darkish day. In his demise, he gave life. And ever since, his household has proven extraordinary power of their battle for his return.
I provide my heartfelt condolences and assist to the Weiss household and the group of Kibbutz Be’eri upon the restoration of the physique of hostage Ilan Weiss, of blessed reminiscence.
692 days after he was brutally kidnapped along with his spouse Shiri and their daughter Noga, Ilan’s physique was… pic.twitter.com/PK4uKm3hdB
— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) August 29, 2025
Gaza Metropolis is being gripped by famine brought on by Israel’s restrictions on support and the assault will solely deepen the widespread struggling of the civilian inhabitants there and will forcibly displace an estimated a million Palestinian folks.
A joint assertion from various UN organisations together with Unicef and the World Meals Programme mentioned “it could have additional devastating penalties for civilians the place famine situations exist already”.
“Many individuals – particularly sick and malnourished youngsters, older folks and other people with disabilities – could also be unable to evacuate,” it mentioned.
A spokesperson for the Israeli army mentioned earlier this week that the evacuation of Gaza Metropolis is “inevitable”. Benjamin Netanyahu has mentioned Israel will launch its Gaza Metropolis assault whereas concurrently pursuing a ceasefire, although talks have stalled.
The Israeli prime minister has claimed the assault is the easiest way to weaken Hamas and return hostages, however many hostage households disagree and concern it is going to endanger hostages lives.
About 1,200 folks had been killed and 251 taken hostage within the Hamas-led 7 October assaults on southern Israel in 2023. Most hostages have been launched throughout earlier ceasefires. About 50 stay in Gaza, and Israeli officers consider about 20 are nonetheless alive.
Netanyahu has been accused of prolonging ceasefire negotiations – and blocking their progress – to make sure his personal political survival by having the struggle proceed. The Israeli chief is on trial in Israel for alleged corruption and is needed by the worldwide legal court docket over allegations of struggle crimes in Gaza. He denies all the fees towards him.
IDF declares famine-hit Gaza Metropolis a fight zone, ending ‘tactical pauses’ that allowed restricted meals supply
The Israel Protection Forces (IDF) has declared Gaza Metropolis “a harmful fight zone” because the army prepares for an assault on the shattered stays of Gaza’s largest metropolis.
In a post on X, the IDF wrote:
In accordance with the situational evaluation & directives of the political echelon, beginning at the moment at 10:00, the native tactical pause in army exercise won’t apply to the realm of Gaza Metropolis, which constitutes a harmful fight zone.
The IDF continues supporting humanitarian efforts whereas conducting operations to guard Israel.
Planes and tanks have reportedly been pounding components of Gaza Metropolis over the previous week and Israeli tanks and armored autos have been deployed to its outskirts.
Round a million Palestinian folks, lots of whom are too frail or previous to maintain transferring, are anticipated to be displaced by Israel’s expanded assault within the space, the place a UN-backed meals physique declared earlier this month {that a} famine was going down.
UN workers name on rights chief to explain Israel’s struggle on Gaza as a genocide
Greater than 500 workers on the UN have urged its human rights chief, Volker Türk, to explain Israel’s struggle on Gaza as a genocide being dedicated towards the Palestinian folks.
In a letter to Türk, workers reportedly claimed that the authorized standards for genocide – which, underneath worldwide legislation, is outlined as committing a number of acts with the intention to destroy, in entire or partially, a nationwide, ethnic, racial or non secular group – has been met.
Within the letter, seen by the Reuters information company and Al Jazeera, the UN workers mentioned failure to explain Israel’s assault as a genocide “undermines” the UN’s credibility.
It was reportedly signed by the Employees Committee on behalf of greater than 500 workers on the Geneva-based workplace of the excessive commissioner for human rights (OHCHR), and despatched to Türk earlier this week.
“OHCHR has a powerful authorized and ethical duty to denounce acts of genocide,” mentioned the letter, which known as on Türk to take a “clear and public place”.
“Failing to denounce an unfolding genocide undermines the credibility of the UN and the human rights system itself,” it added.
It cited the worldwide physique’s perceived ethical failure for not doing extra to cease the 1994 Rwanda genocide that killed greater than 1 million folks.
Turk has the total and unconditional assist of the UN secretary basic António Guterres, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric mentioned, including: “Labelling of an occasion as a genocide is as much as a reliable authorized authority.”
South Africa’s case towards Israel on the UN’s worldwide court docket of justice (ICJ) accusing the state of committing genocide is ongoing. Israel denies the fees.
There was a worsening in relations between Israel and the UK over current months.
The UK authorities mentioned in July it could recognise a Palestinian state until Israel abides by a ceasefire and commits to a two-state answer within the Center East, enraging the Israeli authorities.
The UK has sanctioned far-right Israeli ministers and those who committed settler violence, and broken off trade negotiations with Israel over its army conduct in Gaza.
However Keir Starmer’s authorities has been accused inside the UK of not doing sufficient to attempt to exert stress on Benjamin Netanyahu to cease his assault on Gaza, which has introduced famine situations to the territory and killed over 61,000 Palestinian folks, lots of whom are girls and youngsters, in keeping with officers.
Regardless of Israel being accused of struggle crimes and of committing genocide in Gaza, the UK has nonetheless allowed arms gross sales to Israel and has run surveillance flights over Gaza with the help of a US contractor.
UK blocks Israeli officers from its largest defence present
Israel’s defence ministry has criticised the UK authorities for excluding its officers from a London arms truthful subsequent month, calling it an act of “discrimination”.
A UK authorities spokesperson mentioned earlier that no Israeli authorities delegation could be invited to attend the Defence & Safety Gear Worldwide (DSEI) occasion, which is able to characteristic nationwide delegations and personal corporations who showcase army gear and weapons at London’s Excel centre.
The spokesperson mentioned the Israeli authorities’s determination to additional escalate its assault in Gaza was improper, in feedback seemingly in reference to Israel’s plan to launch a large new assault on Gaza Metropolis inside weeks.
“Consequently, we are able to affirm that no Israeli authorities delegation can be invited to attend DSEI UK 2025,” the spokesperson mentioned.
“There have to be a diplomatic answer to finish this struggle now, with a right away ceasefire, the return of the hostages and a surge in humanitarian support to the folks of Gaza,” the spokesperson added.
Israel’s defence ministry mentioned that because of the commerce truthful ban it could not run its nationwide pavilion on the commerce present because it has finished beforehand. Israeli defence corporations, reminiscent of Elbit Methods, Rafael, IAI and Uvision, will nonetheless be capable to attend.
“These restrictions quantity to a deliberate and regrettable act of discrimination towards Israel’s representatives. Accordingly, the Israel Ministry of Defence will withdraw from the exhibition and won’t set up a nationwide pavilion,” Israel’s defence ministry mentioned in a press release.
The EU’s overseas coverage chief, Kaja Kallas, mentioned this morning that Europe needs to search out diplomatic options to the Iranian nuclear programme query.
“We’re coming into a brand new part with this 30 days that’s now giving us additionally the chance to essentially discover diplomatic methods to discover a answer,” Kallas informed journalists. “We’ve this 30 days to kind issues out,” she added.
Iran has been enriching uranium to as much as 60% fissile purity, a brief step from the roughly 90% of bomb-grade, and had sufficient materials enriched to that stage, if refined additional, for six nuclear weapons, earlier than airstrikes by Israel (after which the US) had been launched on Iranian nuclear sites in June, in keeping with the UN nuclear watchdog.
The west says the development of Iran’s nuclear programme goes past civilian wants, whereas Tehran says it needs nuclear vitality just for peaceable functions.
UK, Germany and France say they’ve triggered UN sanctions on Iran
Patrick Wintour
Patrick Wintour is diplomatic editor for the Guardian
The UK, France and Germany have formally notified the UN that they’ve triggered the restoration of sweeping UN sanctions towards Iran, giving Tehran 30 days to make concessions on entry to its nuclear websites or face deeper worldwide financial isolation.
UK officers mentioned the choice had not been taken evenly and there had been intensive diplomacy to attempt to avert this step.
The officers emphasised there was nonetheless room for last-ditch diplomacy earlier than the sanctions “snapback” comes into drive in 30 days’ time. The annual high-level UN basic meeting in September is more likely to contain extra intensive diplomacy over the state of affairs with Iran.
They added that Iran had been in important non-compliance with the phrases of the 2015 nuclear deal since 2019, saying Tehran had been given ample alternative to develop into compliant however had both been unwilling or unable to behave.
The Worldwide Atomic Power Company (IAEA) left Iran after Israel bombed its key nuclear websites, and has been unable to renegotiate a return to evaluate the state of these websites. Iran has allowed the IAEA inspectors to go to the Bushehr web site, the place refuelling is because of happen.
David Lammy, the UK overseas secretary, informed the Iranian overseas minister, Abbas Araghchi, of the choice by the three European international locations in a name on Thursday morning.
You’ll be able to learn the total story right here:
Israel rejected the findings of the report, saying they had been based mostly on “Hamas lies laundered by means of organisations with vested pursuits”, and denied the existence of a famine in Gaza.
We talked about the findings of the UN-backed Built-in Meals Safety Part Classification (IPC) in our opening post.
Right here is a little more element about the report which mentioned final week that greater than half one million folks throughout Gaza are going through “catastrophic” situations characterised by “hunger, destitution and demise”.
The IPC mentioned an “fully man-made” famine is going on in Gaza Metropolis, the territory’s largest, dwelling to lots of of hundreds of Palestinians, and will unfold south to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis by the tip of subsequent month.
Solely 4 famines have been declared by the IPC because it was established in 2004, most just lately in Sudan final 12 months. The IPC is a globally recognised organisation that classifies the severity of meals insecurity and malnutrition.
“This famine is fully man-made, it may be halted and reversed,” the report says. It continues:
The time for debate and hesitation has handed, hunger is current and is quickly spreading. There ought to be little question in anybody’s thoughts that a right away, at-scale response is required.
Any additional delay – even by days – will lead to a very unacceptable escalation of famine-related mortality.
If a ceasefire is just not carried out to permit humanitarian support to achieve everybody within the Gaza Strip, and if important meals provides and fundamental well being, vitamin and (sanitation and water) providers usually are not restored instantly, avoidable deaths will improve exponentially.
It’s ‘very evident’ there may be not sufficient meals in Gaza, WFP director says
We’re restarting our dwell protection of Israel’s struggle on Gaza. The director of the UN World Meals Programme, Cindy McCain, mentioned it’s “very evident” there isn’t sufficient meals in Gaza, including that hunger was clearly underneath approach within the territory.
Her feedback had been made to the Related Press throughout a go to to Gaza earlier this week and echo the declaration last Friday of widespread famine in Gaza made by the Built-in Meals Safety Part Classification.
“I personally met moms and youngsters who had been ravenous in Gaza,” McCain mentioned. “It’s actual and it’s occurring now.”
McCain mentioned she spoke with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and claimed he’s “involved” in regards to the situation. Up to now, Netanyahu has denied the existence of famine in Gaza and mentioned the claims about hunger are a propaganda marketing campaign launched by Hamas and unfold by the media.
“We agreed that we should instantly redouble our efforts to get extra humanitarian support in. Entry and safety for our convoys is vital,” McCain mentioned.
Netanyahu has presided over a authorities that has been ravenous Gaza by limiting the quantity of support coming into the territory. Charities say there are ongoing obstructions in having the ability to acquire and distribute support.
In March and April Gaza was underneath complete siege, with no meals coming into. Israel justified what was broadly seen because the collective punishment of the civilian inhabitants as a tactic to stress Hamas into releasing hostages.
In mid-Might Netanyahu mentioned shipments would restart due to worldwide stress over a “hunger disaster”. However the quantity of meals and fundamental necessities let into the territory continues to be woefully insufficient and plenty of Palestinian folks have been killed whereas making an attempt to gather support.
Stick with us as we provide the newest updates on Gaza all through the day.
