(21 Aug 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip – 20 August 2025
1. Various of Tarek Seraj, displaced Palestinian, talking to children
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Tarek Seraj, displaced Palestinian:
++SOUNDBITE STARTS ON PREVIOUS SHOT++
"Of course, the talks about expanding the (military) operation in the Gaza Strip means that we will see more destruction, killings, devastation, starvation and siege."
3. Various of Leila Shanar, a displaced Palestinian, hanging clothes outside tent
4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Leila Shanar, displaced Palestinian:
++SOUNDBITE STARTS ON PREVIOUS SHOT AND IS OVERLAID BY SHOT 5 ++
"From one side, we hear that there are proposals (ceasefire) and that there is acceptance on these proposals but regarding the occupation I believe that it is not serious to accept these proposals and the evidence to this that they are recruiting big groups of reservists, the evacuations happening in the north, the displacement in Sabra, the killings and genocide happening. So, this occupation is not serious in achieving a truce and ending the war."
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Zawaida, Gaza Strip – 20 August 2025
5. Various of tents and people in Zawaida
STORYLINE:
Palestinians in Deir al-Balah and Zawaida in the Gaza Strip reacted on Wednesday to a plan by Israel’s military to call up tens of thousands of reservists and extend the service of others ahead of an expanded military operation in Gaza City.
Defense Minister Israel Katz approved plans to begin the new phase of operations in some of Gaza’s most densely populated areas, the military said.
The plan, which is expected to receive the chief of staff’s final approval in the coming days, includes calling up 60,000 reservists and extending the service of 20,000 others who are currently serving.
The move comes as negotiators scramble to bring Israel and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire ending 22 months of fighting, while international leaders and rights groups warn an expanded assault could deepen Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, with most residents displaced, neighborhoods in ruins, and communities facing the threat of famine.
A displaced woman from northern Gaza said that Israel is not serious in talks about a ceasefire.
"They are recruiting big groups of reservists, the evacuations happening in the north, the displacement in Sabra, the killings and genocide happening," said Leila Shanar while sitting next to her tent.
She added "this occupation is not serious in achieving truce and ending war."
It remains unclear when the operation will begin, but it could be a matter of days and such a mobilization of reservists is the largest in months.
Many people in Gaza fear the military operation expansion.
"Of course, the talks about expanding the (military) operation in the Gaza Strip means that we will see more destruction, killings, devastation, starvation and siege," said Tarek Seraj, a displaced Palestinian from Gaza City.
Hamas-led militants started the war when they attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251.
Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals. Hamas says it will only free the rest in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal.
More than 62,122 people have been killed during Israel’s 22-month offensive, Gaza’s Health Ministry said on Monday.
The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals.
The ministry does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants, but says women and children make up around half of them.
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