People take part in a protest outside U.S. Embassy Branch, calling for an end to the war and the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas on the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on July 26, 2025. Credit - Mahmoud Illean—AP

Israel already controls and has largely destroyed around 75% of Gaza, with most of the population of some 2 million Palestinians now sheltering in Gaza City, the central city of Deir al-Balah and the sprawling displacement camps in the Muwasi area along the coast.

The military leadership has said it prefers a new cease-fire instead of renewed fighting, and the military’s chief of staff previously raised concerns about troop exhaustion.