STORYLINE:

Israel's decision to take full control of Gaza City has been met with widespread indignation among Palestinian people.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Friday in a statement that the Security Cabinet has approved a plan to take over the enclave's biggest city, and that the Israel Defense Forces will prepare for the takeover while distributing humanitarian assistance to civilians outside the combat zones.

Israel's state-owned Kan TV News reported on Saturday that in two weeks, the army will begin evacuating more than 800,000 residents of the Strip's largest city to the humanitarian zone of Al-Mawasi in southern Gaza.

In a month, a reserve division will be recruited to join the five divisions already operating in the Strip, ahead of an intense military operation in Gaza City set to begin in about two months.

For civilians in Gaza City, they feel desperate about the unknown they are facing.

"We don't want war and occupation. We want freedom. We want Gaza City. Every morning, we have to queue at distribution points just to get a bag of flour. Gaza City has nothing left. Why do you (Israel) still want to occupy it?" said a resident in Gaza City.

"Everything is destroyed. There's nowhere safe in the Gaza Strip. Where are we supposed to go? Living in tents is not a normal life. We've already endured so much suffering and humiliation fleeing to the south," said another displaced person in the city.

"With famine, displacement, and living in tents, asking us to evacuate is like forcing us directly into the sea," said another Gaza City resident.

Israeli media reports suggest the takeover aims to pressure Hamas into resuming negotiations for the release of hostages apart from military goals.

Gazans condemned the Israeli forces for attempting to achieve their goals by harming civilians.

"They are not targeting armed forces. They are targeting civilians. We are their real target, not Hamas. They are killing civilians to force Hamas to release the Israeli hostages. But what have we done wrong?" said a Gazan.

"Netanyahu cannot force us to surrender. I want to tell him: you cannot drive us away. Do what you want. We will remain on our land. We don't want your food or water. We will stay here until the end," said another Gazan.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

Gaza City, Gaza Strip - Aug 9, 2025 (CCTN - No access Chinese mainland)

1. Various of people on street

2. Various of people carrying supplies

3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Displaced Palestinian (name not given):

"We don't want war and occupation. We want freedom. We want Gaza City. Every morning, we have to queue at distribution points just to get a bag of flour. Gaza City has nothing left. Why do you (Israel) still want to occupy it?"

4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Displaced Palestinian (name not given):

"Everything is destroyed. There's nowhere safe in the Gaza Strip. Where are we supposed to go? Living in tents is not a normal life. We've already endured so much suffering and humiliation fleeing to the south."

5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Displaced Palestinian (name not given):

"With famine, displacement, and living in tents, asking us to evacuate is like forcing us directly into the sea."

6. Various of people on street

7. Various of tents, destroyed buildings

8. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Displaced Palestinian (name not given):

"They are not targeting armed forces. They are targeting civilians. We are their real target, not Hamas. They are killing civilians to force Hamas to release the Israeli hostages. But what have we done wrong?"

9. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Displaced Palestinian (name not given):

"Netanyahu cannot force us to surrender. I want to tell him: you cannot drive us away. Do what you want. We will remain on our land. We don't want your food or water. We will stay here until the end."

10. Various of children