graveststate in Gaza, according to United Nations leader Guterres, is "intolerable"
The Israeli army has launched a ground offensive in Gaza City, with the aim of capturing the city and strengthening attacks on Hamas until it is finally defeated. This offensive, which could last for many months, has already claimed at least 17 lives, including a pregnant woman and seven people in Gaza City.
According to reports, the Israeli army has attacked over 150 targets in Gaza City over the past two days, using ground troops, precision strikes, and high-quality intelligence. The army chief, Eyal Samir, confirmed these actions.
The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has strongly condemned the further escalation in Gaza, stating that entire neighborhoods are being destroyed and the level of violence is unprecedented. He believes that Israel is determined to continue the offensive and is not open to serious negotiations for a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, aid organizations are urging UN member states to use all available political, economic, and legal means to intervene. They fear that the ongoing conflict could cost thousands of lives and cause widespread humanitarian crisis.
In an attempt to pressure Israel, the EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, presented a sanctions package in Brussels on Wednesday. The package includes a partial suspension of the EU's association agreement with Israel, as well as sanctions against Hamas terrorists, extremist ministers in the Israeli government, violent settlers, and organizations.
However, Germany is among the key blockers for the sanctions package to secure the necessary majority among EU countries. Germany and Italy are currently opposing or abstaining from EU sanctions against Israel in the EU Parliament, preventing the qualified majority needed for the sanctions. Most other large and smaller EU states support the measure.
The aid organizations are also concerned about the fate of the hostages in Gaza. It is possible that Hamas could use hostages as bargaining chips in the fighting. An agreement between Israel and Hamas seems unlikely with the ongoing ground offensive.
The conflict in Gaza is not just a local issue. If UN member states do not fulfill their legal obligations under international law, they could be complicit and setting a dangerous precedent for the future. The UN Secretary-General has warned that the ongoing violence could have far-reaching consequences for the region and beyond.
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