Without making a formal declaration, the IDF already moved into Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood, as well as parts of Jabaliya.

Confused? You’re not alone. For weeks, Jerusalem has been threatening to occupy Gaza City. But a move into the strip’s capital would only take place if Israel couldn’t force Hamas to cave to a deal beforehand — or so we thought.

Then, just after midday today, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that “an initial evacuation notice has been delivered to a multi-story terrorist building in Gaza City ahead of an attack,” adding that “once the door opens, it will not close, and IDF operations will continue to intensify” until Hamas either meets Israel’s conditions for ending the war, or is defeated.