Israel approves plan to take over Gaza. See the devastating scenes

Israel's political-security cabinet approved a plan early on Aug. 8, 2025 to take control of Gaza City, as the country expands its military operations despite intensifying criticism at home and abroad over the devastating almost two-year-old war.

A Palestinian boy carries a stroller at the site of a morning Israeli strike on a house, in Gaza City, August 8, 2025.

Mahmoud Issa, REUTERS

A tent camp sheltering Palestinians displaced by the Israeli military offensive in Gaza City on Aug. 8, 2025.

Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters

Palestinian mother Amira Muteir holds her five-month-old baby Ammar, whom she says is wasting away from malnutrition, in Gaza City, August 5, 2025.

Mahmoud Issa, REUTERS

Palestinian girl Huda Abu Al-Naja lies on a bed receiving treatment at the malnutrition ward at Nasser hospital as her mother Sumayya shows an image of Huda when she was healthier, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, August 5, 2025.

HATEM KHALED, REUTERS

A Palestinian man sits at the site of an overnight Israeli strike on a house, in Gaza City August 7, 2025.

Dawoud Abu Alkas, REUTERS

A mourner reacts next to a body during the funeral of Palestinians killed in an overnight Israeli strike, in Gaza City August 7, 2025.

Dawoud Abu Alkas, REUTERS

Families of the hostages held by Hamas sail from Israel to the Gaza maritime border on Aug. 7, 2025, as they demand the immediate release of their loved ones and the end to the war.

Amir Cohen/Reuters

A Palestinian sits at a house previously damaged during the Israeli offensive, in Gaza City, August 6, 2025.

Mahmoud Issa, REUTERS

Families of the hostages held in Gaza sail from the Ashkelon Marina to the Gaza maritime border, as they demand the immediate release of the hostages and the end of the war, in Israel, August 7, 2025.

Amir Cohen, REUTERS

A damaged Israeli flag stands in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border between Israel and Gaza, August 7, 2025.

Amir Cohen, REUTERS

A supporter of hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas, holds signs as she takes part in a protest demanding the immediate release of the hostages and the end of the war, as a fire burns in Tel Aviv, Israel, August 7, 2025.

Ammar Awad, REUTERS

Palestinians run towards parachutes carrying aid packages airdropped over northern Gaza Strip, August 7, 2025.

Ebrahim Hajjaj, REUTERS

Palestinians, displaced by the Israeli military offensive, shelter in a tent camp in Gaza City, August 8, 2025.

Dawoud Abu Alkas, REUTERS

Palestinians inspect the site of a morning Israeli strike on a house in Gaza City on Aug. 8, 2025.

Mahmoud Issa/Reuters

Israel approves plan to take over Gaza. See the devastating scenes from the ground