Israel Begins Invasion of Gaza City

The IDF has begun the first steps of its invasion of Gaza City, IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin confirmed on Wednesday.

"Our forces already control the outskirts of the city," Deffrin said.

Additionally, he confirmed that some 60,000 conscription letters will be sent out this week, with an additional 20,000 to be sent later this month.

In his statement, Deffrin confirmed that the IDF is working to provide sufficient spaces for Gazan civilians to safely evacuate, as well as receive aid and medical care.

IDF soldiers ambushed in Khan Yunis

Deffrin addressed an incident when IDF soldiers thwarted an attempt by over 15 terrorists to raid an IDF post in Khan Yunis, adding that the military is currently investigating how the incident occured.

Three soldiers were wounded in the incident, with one from the military's 90th Battalion in the Kfir Brigade in serious condition. He was evacuated to a hospital, and his family was notified of the incident.

Two other soldiers were lightly wounded, the IDF said.

Netanyahu, Katz expected to approve plans for Gaza City conquest

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz are expected to approve on Thursday the plans for the conquest of Gaza City. The discussion will take place against the backdrop of a Hamas proposal, backed by the mediators Egypt and Qatar, for a partial deal that would include the release of 10 hostages and a 60-day ceasefire.

Ahead of the approval, Netanyahu instructed to "shorten the timeline for taking control of the last terrorist strongholds and defeating Hamas."

Officials from the mediating countries told The Jerusalem Post that the outline presented is very close to the framework Israel had agreed to a few weeks ago. “Yes, there are gaps - but they can be bridged within days,” one official said.

Israel has maintained ambiguity regarding the proposal. On the one hand, officials stressed again on Wednesday that the goal remains a deal for the release of all the hostages. On the other hand, Israel has not explicitly rejected the proposal submitted. The assessment is that Israel is waiting to see whether the launch of a Gaza City offensive will prompt Hamas to shift toward a comprehensive deal.

US envoy Steve Witkoff told Fox News that “three weeks ago, this proposal was on the table and Hamas dragged us along in negotiations. President Trump declared he was not going to tolerate that any longer - and guess what happened. There was a significant breakthrough.”

Still, Witkoff added that the president had been “very firm and direct in his post, and he wants all the hostages back. That is our position. This conflict must end immediately. Twenty hostages need to be returned to their families. Let’s just end this - bring peace and tranquility to the people of Gaza, and rebuild Gaza the way it should be rebuilt, as the president has outlined,” Trump’s envoy said.