Gaza city: Israeli forces on Friday began a 'preparatory operations for a powerful assault' on Gaza City, declaring the densely populated urban center a 'dangerous combat zone,' according to an army statement.

According to Anadolu Agency, the army spokesman Avichay Adraee announced through the US social media company X that the assessment of the situation and directives from the political leadership led to the decision that, starting Friday at 10:00 a.m. (0700GMT), the local and temporary tactical pause in military activity would not apply to Gaza City, designating it as a dangerous combat zone.

The army spokesman stated that offensive operations against 'terrorist organizations' would continue, while asserting support for humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip. Eyewitnesses reported to Anadolu that intense firepower and airstrikes were concentrated in the northern and eastern districts of the city, with heavy smoke rising over residential areas.

Residents noted continuous flights of Israeli warplanes over the city, with explosions and fires erupting in multiple neighborhoods, including Al-Karama, Al-Saftawi, Abu Iskandar, the end of Al-Jalaa Street, and the Intelligence Towers. The declaration, issued by the Israeli army, comes despite the densely populated nature of the city and ongoing humanitarian crises.

In response, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) warned that an intensified military operation in Gaza City would endanger around 1 million people, risking further forced displacement. It highlighted that with famine already confirmed in the area, any further escalation would worsen suffering and push more people toward catastrophe.

The full blockade of Gaza by Israel, in place since early March, has created catastrophic conditions for its 2.4 million residents, leading to famine, widespread disease, and the collapse of essential services. Israel's military campaign has resulted in the deaths of around 63,000 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023, devastating the enclave.

In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.