Anticipates Prolonged Battle in Gaza City according to Israeli Military
In the early hours of Tuesday, Israel launched a ground offensive in Gaza, with thousands of soldiers involved. This move has sparked urgent calls for action from aid organizations, as the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate.
The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has warned the Palestinian Islamic organization Hamas not to harm the hostages taken from his country. As of now, there are still 48 hostages in the Gaza Strip, of whom 20 are reportedly still alive according to Israeli information. Families of the hostages have accused Netanyahu of sacrificing their relatives for political reasons.
The Israeli army's ground offensive could last many months, according to army spokesperson Effie Defrin, as they estimate up to 3,000 combat-ready Hamas members are in the coastal city. The northern part of Gaza is being systematically destroyed by Israel, with an extensive network of tunnels connecting Hamas command centers, rocket launchers, and weapons depots lying beneath the streets, according to Defrin.
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the situation in Gaza as "horrendous" and "morally, politically, and legally intolerable." A UN-appointed commission of human rights lawyers concluded that Israel's military campaign against Hamas aims to destroy Palestinians, amounting to genocide.
The European Union is deeply divided in its handling of the situation in Israel. The EU Commission's sanction proposals against Israel are currently being discussed within the European Union, particularly involving EU member states such as Germany and Spain. Germany has been opposing these sanctions, but a growing majority is now supporting them.
The EU Commission will present further concrete proposals for sanctions against Israel today in response to its actions in Gaza. In the meantime, the high costs associated with transportation and living conditions in the designated humanitarian zone have made it difficult for many Palestinians to afford to flee. Car rental prices have skyrocketed to around €1,300 to transport belongings in Gaza.
Netanyahu has instructed the army to find ways to simplify the evacuation process for people. An Israeli army spokesperson announced the temporary opening of an evacuation route southwards in Gaza, valid for 48 hours. However, the EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has called on the German government to support plans for trade sanctions or propose alternative leverage.
As the conflict in Gaza continues, the international community is urged to take swift and decisive action to protect the lives and rights of all those affected. The situation remains tense, with the potential for further escalation looming large.
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