The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) intensified operations in northern Gaza and Gaza City on September 16th, 2025, advancing in the Sheikh Radwan, Al-Estiqal, and Sheikh Ajlin neighborhoods, according to ArabOSINT. Concurrently, Israeli aircraft conducted a fire belt in the Barcelona region of Tel Al-Hawa, west of Gaza City, reported activist Hamza Al-Masri. These actions coincide with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington in late October, following the United Nations General Assembly. The IDF's 98th Division is currently engaged in Operation Gideon B within Gaza City, which the military designates as Hamas's central military and governing hub. Over the past week, the Israeli Air Force has carried out strikes on more than 850 targets in the city, with the IDF estimating the presence of 2,000-2,500 skilled terrorists and several thousand recruited teenagers. The commander of the Southern Command, Gen. Yaniv Asor, has confirmed the operation's second phase aimed at conquering Gaza City. In separate but related developments, Israeli security forces conducted an operation in Qalqilya in the northern West Bank between 1:48 PM and 2:02 PM UTC on September 16th, 2025, resulting in the deaths of two Palestinian gunmen and the arrest of two others. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported 428 deaths attributed to famine and malnutrition in Gaza as of September 16th, 2025, including 146 children. Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot announced the formation of his new political party, "Straight! With Eisenkot," on September 16th, 2025, with polls suggesting it could win between 6 and 12 Knesset seats. Prime Minister Netanyahu also stated on September 16th, 2025, that he never believed Qatar was neutral in the conflict, according to Amit Segal.
