BBC News Briefing

20 August, 2025

Alex Binley

Hello. Israel's military has said the first stages of its Gaza City offensive are under way and that it is calling up 60,000 reservists. In the US, 900 veteran volunteers have formed 'Battle Buddies' to help support Afghan refugees facing deportation. My colleague, US reporter Regan Morris, went to meet them, and some of the people they're trying to help. And finally, watch as a bright fireball lights up the night sky in Japan.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Images show camp cleared as Israeli forces move vehicles near Gaza City

A satellite image shows an area which appears to contain lots of small, sqare buildings. The area around them appears dusty and baren

A satellite image taken on 17 August shows armoured vehicles near the Sabra neighbourhood to the east of Gaza City. Credit: Planet Labs PBC

Israel has said it has begun the first stages of its planned ground offensive to capture and occupy all of Gaza City, and already has a hold on the outskirts. As part of this operation, Israel said it's calling up about 60,000 reservists. It is expected that hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza City will be ordered to evacuate to the south of the enclave. My colleagues at BBC Verify have been looking at satellite imagery that shows camps for displaced people in Gaza City have already been cleared and Israeli military vehicles are moving near to the city.

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AT THE SCENE

San Diego, California

US military veterans are helping Afghans fight deportation

Monique stares at the camera, wearing a black baseball cap that says US Army, and an olive-green t-shirt. In the background is a fluorescent hallway and a man in a gret t-shirt and the same black army cap. Several ICE officers, masked and in black hoodies, are also in the hallway

Monique Labarre is part of the Battle Buddies, a group of army veteranss who show support for Afghan refugees at immigration hearings. Credit: BBC

After US troops pulled out of Afghanistan in August 2021, the country quickly fell to the Taliban. Then, 200,000 Afghans relocated to the US - some under special programmes designed for those most at risk of Taliban retribution. But now the Trump administration has ended one such programme, as well as temporary protections which shielded some Afghans from deportation due to security concerns, saying that the security situation in their home country has "improved". But many Afghans in the US believe their lives would be in danger if they were sent back.

Three black squares against a white background. The black squares have the letters B, B and C in them.

Regan Morris, US reporter

As a journalist in Afghanistan, Abdul says he helped to promote American values like democracy and freedom. That work, he said, resulted in him being tortured by the Taliban after the US withdrew from the country in 2021. Now he's in California applying for political asylum, amid the looming threat of deportation. "We trusted those values," he said. "We came here for safety, and we don't have it, unfortunately."

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But when Abdul walked into a San Diego court to plead his case, he wasn't alone. Ten veterans showed up for his hearing – unarmed, but dressed in hats and shirts to signify their military credentials as a "show of force", said Shawn VanDiver, a US Navy vet who founded 'Battle Buddies' to support Afghan refugees facing deportation. "Masked agents of the federal government are snatching up our friends, people who took life in our name and have done nothing wrong," he said.

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