Defense Minister of Israel greenlights initiative to seize control of Gaza region.
In the midst of ongoing ceasefire negotiations with the Islamist group Hamas, Israel has reportedly approved a military plan to capture Gaza City, a move that has sparked widespread international criticism.
The Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has given the green light for this operation, which involves evacuating the city of Gaza, estimated to house around one million people. However, preparations for the reception of civilians from Gaza at a location further south in the coastal strip have also been approved.
The UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, has condemned this move, stating that it violates international law, risks massive forced displacement, more killings, and widespread suffering. He urges Israel to focus on allowing unrestricted humanitarian aid and demands the immediate unconditional release of all hostages by Palestinian armed groups and the release of Palestinians arbitrarily detained by Israel.
Multiple Western governments, including Australia, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, have also rejected Israel’s decision to expand military operations in Gaza, warning that this escalation will worsen the catastrophic humanitarian crisis, endanger hostages’ lives, risk mass displacement, and may violate international humanitarian law.
A phased ceasefire plan, proposed by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, includes the release of hostages and prisoners and expanded humanitarian aid access in Gaza. While Israel reviews this Hamas-approved ceasefire proposal, it simultaneously prepares for the military offensive on Gaza City, including the call-up of about 60,000 reservists for the invasion.
There is widespread international worry that Israel’s plan to seize Gaza City—the last significant area not fully under military control—will lead to the displacement of roughly one million Palestinians to the south of the enclave, exacerbating an already devastating humanitarian situation marked by tens of thousands of deaths and infrastructural destruction.
In addition to these concerns, the Israeli army has reportedly killed one of the Hamas fighters suspected of involvement in the abduction of Yarden Bibas during the massacre on October 7, 2023. Bibas, a family man, was the only member of his family to survive captivity and was released during a ceasefire in February.
As the situation unfolds, it is expected that an official Israeli response will be forthcoming, with the Security Cabinet potentially meeting on Thursday. The international community continues to call for immediate de-escalation, humanitarian access, and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
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