Introduction
As Israel prepares a sweeping military operation targeting Gaza City marking one of the final strongholds of Hamas residents say this impending assault feels like “a new war.” The gravity of the situation is intensified not just by the scale of military deployments but also by the pervasive erosion of options and mounting fears of forced displacement.
Military Build Up and Escalating Tensions
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has greenlit an expanded offensive aimed at seizing Gaza City, calling up 60,000 additional reservists and extending the service of 20,000 active-duty troops (The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, AP News). The operation codenamed Operation Gideon’s Chariots II began formally on 20 August 2025, though preliminary incursions into neighborhoods like Sabra and Shuja’iyya began earlier, with Shuja’iyya already under attack since early April (Wikipedia).
The military moved quickly: troops are already stationed on Gaza City’s outskirts, airstrikes are intensifying, and evacuation orders have been issued to hospitals and humanitarian groups to relocate southward (El País, ElHuffPost, Reuters).
“A New War”: Voices from Gaza City
Residents express deep dread. In a poignant reflection, one man from the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood said, “it feels like the beginning of a new war” (erienewsnow.com). Another, displaced repeatedly, defiantly refused to evacuate: “If we leave Gaza, we will not return to it again we tell the world no to displacement”(Globedge).
Many have concluded there is nowhere safe to escape to. With shelters overcrowded and every exit point under threat, the specter of forced relocation under bombardment looms larger than ever.
Humanitarian Collapse & Displacement
The situation is bleak. An estimated one million residents remain in Gaza City, many displaced from other areas (El País, The Washington Post, Wikipedia). Aid agencies, including Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), warn that planned mass displacement of up to 800,000 people will decimate access to healthcare, leaving the population more vulnerable than ever (erienewsnow.com, Wikipedia).
Reports indicate the conflict has already claimed over 62,000 Palestinian lives, including countless women and children; the humanitarian crisis is spiraling as hospitals collapse under pressure, famine looms, and hostages remain at risk (AP News, The Washington Post)
International Reaction and Political Dynamics
International dismay is growing. The UN, Red Cross, and humanitarian organizations condemn Israel’s actions, especially given the massive civilian toll and infrastructure destruction (The Guardian, The Washington Post). Political analysts suggest that Netanyahu may be balancing military action with political maneuvering dramatic buildup alongside ongoing ceasefire negotiations serves both to pressure Hamas and signal resolve domestically (The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal).
Israel is also navigating the fragile balance of continuing offensive action while exploring prisoner exchange and ceasefire possibilities, adding diplomatic complexity to the already dire operational landscape (The Wall Street Journal, AP News).
Looking Ahead: Consequences of an Assault
If the full assault proceeds, Gaza City could face catastrophic losses:
- A mass displacement without safe refuge, overwhelming southern zones.
- A complete collapse of health and aid systems, especially considering ongoing strikes on hospitals and refugee camps (El País, ElHuffPost, The Washington Post).
- A significant rise in civilian casualties, with global bodies warning of violations of international humanitarian law.
- Long-term destabilization of both physical infrastructure and social fabric of Gaza.
Conclusion
To Gaza City’s residents, Israel looming assault is not just another offensive it symbolizes a “new war”. With mounting military pressure, growing humanitarian catastrophe, and scant hope of safe escape, this moment may redefine the conflict’s trajectory. The world watches, but for those inside the city, the war has already entered a terrifying, irrevocable new phase.
