Anticipated Multi-Month Engagement in Gaza City by Israeli Military Forces
The European Union (EU) is set to present further concrete proposals for sanctions against Israel today, in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. However, the EU's handling of the Jewish state remains deeply divided.
Israel's military actions in Gaza have resulted in the systematic destruction of the northern city, causing widespread concern among aid organisations. Save the Children and other humanitarian groups have called upon the international community to take urgent action due to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
Reports suggest that families in Gaza are forced to eat pet food and boil leaves to feed their children, a stark reminder of the dire situation on the ground. The Israeli ground offensive, led by thousands of soldiers, was approved by the Israeli security cabinet in August, despite resistance from the military leadership.
The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, described the situation in Gaza as 'appalling' and 'morally, politically, and legally intolerable.' A UN-appointed commission of human rights lawyers concluded in a report released Tuesday that Israel's conduct of the war against Hamas aims to destroy Palestinians, a claim Israel condemned as scandalous.
The Israeli army has urged city residents to move to a humanitarian zone in the southern, sealed coastal strip. However, many Palestinians are unable to flee due to the high costs involved. The cost of renting a car to transport belongings in Gaza has suddenly risen to 5,000 shekels - nearly 1,300 euros.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that nearly 400,000 people have heeded the army's evacuation calls and left the city declared a combat zone, which is less than half of the estimated one million residents. There are still 48 hostages in the Gaza Strip, of whom 20 are reportedly still alive according to Israeli information.
The EU Commission has proposed sanctions against Israel, specifically targeting ten members of the terrorist organization Hamas, Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and violent settlers, for their roles in violence and military actions in Gaza and the West Bank. Netanyahu has warned Hamas not to harm the hostages taken from his country.
In a move to facilitate the evacuation of civilians, an Israeli army spokesman announced the temporary opening of an evacuation route southwards in the city of Gaza, valid for 48 hours. Netanyahu has also instructed the army to find ways to simplify the people's escape.
However, the situation remains volatile, with the Israeli army estimating that up to 3,000 combat-ready Hamas members are in the coastal city of Gaza. The families of the hostages accuse Netanyahu of sacrificing their relatives 'for political reasons.'
The EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has previously appealed to the German government to support plans for trade sanctions or propose alternative pressure measures. The Israeli army spokesman stated that the ground offensive in Gaza could last for months, raising concerns about the future of the region and the safety of its inhabitants.
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