Escalation of Israel-Palestine conflict: Plans for Israeli military to seize control of Gaza City
Israel has announced a military plan to take operational control of Gaza City by October 7, 2025, a move that is expected to result in large-scale civilian displacement and has sparked international condemnation.
The plan, which involves evacuating approximately one million civilians to so-called "humanitarian zones," has raised serious humanitarian concerns due to Gaza's already dire situation. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has urged Israel to halt the full military takeover, warning it would cause "more massive forced displacement, more killing, more unbearable suffering, senseless destruction and atrocity crimes."
Amnesty International has also strongly condemned the decision, labelling it as "outrageous and revolting," and highlighting that it would lead to massive civilian suffering and violate international law. They stress that the plan would exacerbate what they describe as ongoing genocide conditions in Gaza.
The displacement of civilians is a central feature of the plan, with the evacuation expected to take place under difficult conditions. The International Community has expressed concern over the potential humanitarian crisis that could ensue.
The Israeli military leadership reportedly objects internally to the plan, citing its likely disastrous consequences, both operationally and in terms of civilian harm, which could play into Hamas’s strategic interests.
The plan faces significant internal Israeli opposition as well. Israel's opposition leader, Yair Lapid, has described the decision to take over Gaza City as a disaster that will lead to further loss of life and political instability.
Efforts at diplomacy and ceasefire talks remain stalled even as the military plan advances. The plan to occupy Gaza City is expected to take months and cost tens of billions to Israeli taxpayers.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom's Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has stated that Israel's plan to escalate the assault on Gaza is "wrong." Axios news reporter Barak Ravid has reported that the operation will involve the forced displacement of all Palestinian civilians from Gaza City to central camps and other areas by October 7.
The occupation of Gaza City marks a major escalation by Israel in its war on the Palestinian territory. It is unclear how many people still live in Gaza City, the enclave's largest population center.
In a television interview with Fox News, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel does not want to govern Gaza and would hand over responsibility to an unspecified third party. However, Netanyahu has also announced plans to fully occupy the entirety of the Gaza Strip, a move that has been telegraphed for several days now according to Al Jazeera's correspondent in Washington, DC.
Hamas views Netanyahu's comments as a reversal of the negotiation process and a confirmation of his intentions to escalate the conflict. The Hamas militants who remain in Gaza City will be subjected to a siege, and a ground offensive will be carried out.
Gaza resident Maysaa al-Heila expressed despair at the planned takeover of the city, stating that there is nothing left to occupy and no Gaza left. Almost 200 people have died from starvation and malnutrition in Gaza. The looming military operation could further disrupt efforts to deliver food to the famine-stricken territory.
References:
- The Guardian
- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
- Amnesty International
- BBC News
- The international community is closely monitoring the breaking news of Israel's military plan to take operational control of Gaza City, with various organizations, including the United Nations and Amnesty International, expressing concern over potential humanitarian crises and violations of international law.
- The impending military operation, expected to result in massive civilian displacement and cause further suffering in Gaza, has sparked political turmoil both domestically and internationally, with heads of state, such as UK's Keir Starmer, condemning Israel's plan to escalate the conflict.
- Adding to the escalating war-and-conflicts in the region, both Hamas and the Israeli military leaders have hardened their stances, leading to increased tensions and fears of further violence and crime-and-justice issues in the future.
