Hamas issues a warning to Netanyahu, indicating that an escalation of military action in Gaza will come at a significant cost
In the heart of Jerusalem, the Israeli government's security cabinet convened in the Prime Minister's office on a significant evening. The meeting, which began at 18:00 local time (16:00 Lisbon), marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict with Gaza [1].
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's interview with Fox News hours before the meeting revealed his government's plan to occupy Gaza City as the first phase of a broader offensive potentially leading to the full occupation of the entire Gaza Strip by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) [1]. This move is part of Netanyahu's strategy to defeat Hamas, disarm them, and establish a new civilian government in Gaza that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority, while maintaining full Israeli security control even after the war ends [1].
The operation, expected to displace around 1 million Palestinian civilians and last several months, has been met with strong opposition from international bodies such as the United Nations. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has demanded an immediate halt to the military occupation plan, warning that it violates international law and will cause further massive displacement, suffering, destruction, and potential atrocity crimes [2]. The UN has called for the Israeli government to focus on humanitarian aid access and the unconditional release of hostages by Palestinian armed groups, emphasizing that the conflict must end and Israelis and Palestinians must be allowed to live side by side in peace [2].
Regarding Hamas's response, the search results do not provide direct quotes or statements from Hamas in reaction to the plan. However, given the historical context and the UN's warnings about further escalation, it can be inferred that Hamas is likely opposing the full occupation, though specific responses were not cited in the retrieved documents.
Hamas issued a statement regarding Netanyahu's announcement that the governance of the Gaza Strip will be handed over to "Arab forces", without the presence of Hamas [3]. According to the statement, Gaza will maintain resistance to occupation [3]. Furthermore, Hamas has warned that expanding the current offensive in Gaza will not be easy and will come at a high cost, with more Israeli soldier casualties [3].
Notably, out of the 251 people kidnapped by Hamas and its allies on October 7, 2023, 49 hostages remain in the Gaza Strip [4]. The Israeli Army has declared 27 of these hostages dead [4]. For Hamas, Netanyahu's announcement represents a clear shift in the negotiations for a ceasefire agreement.
As the Israeli government's security cabinet continues to discuss the plan for the full occupation of the Gaza Strip, the international community and Hamas watch closely, bracing for potential further escalation in the ongoing conflict.
- The impending operation to occupy Gaza City, as revealed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's interview with Fox News, has led to intense debates in the realm of war-and-conflicts, politics, and general news.
- The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has spoken out against the Israeli government's plan, stating it violates international law and risks causing further war-and-conflicts, making headlines in the political sphere and general news.
