As of 10am Friday, the localized tactical pause of military activity for the distribution of humanitarian aid will not apply to Gaza City, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced, describing the area as a “dangerous combat zone,” reports The Times of Israel.

“The military has been implementing such pauses in parts of the Strip in recent weeks to allow for the entry and distribution of humanitarian aid,” the statement said.

It added it will continue supporting those efforts across the enclave — with the exception of Gaza City — while simultaneously carrying out “offensive operations against terror groups in Gaza to protect Israeli civilians.”

“The military is gearing up for an offensive which aims to capture Gaza City, where an estimated one million Palestinians — or roughly half of the enclave’s population — are sheltering,” reported The Times of Israel.