Intensifies Military Campaign in Gaza Strip by Israel
The Israeli government's decision to intensify military operations in Gaza, culminating in plans to take full control of Gaza City, has raised concerns worldwide. The United Nations and international human rights officials have expressed alarm, warning that such a move could have "catastrophic consequences" for millions of Palestinians [1][2].
The Israeli Security Cabinet has approved a plan that will primarily focus on the city of Gaza in the north of the coastal region [4]. The goal is to evacuate residents to refugee camps in the central section of the Gaza Strip by early October [3]. Critics accuse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prolonging the war for political reasons, to satisfy his coalition partners [5].
Israeli military leaders have stated that their intention is the "defeat of Hamas," indicating an intent beyond mere leverage in negotiations and pointing to an attempt to exert permanent military control, at least over Gaza City and possibly central Gaza camps [1][4]. However, Netanyahu has also stated that Israel does not want to permanently occupy Gaza [2].
The current military plan suggests a long-term occupation approach rather than a short-term negotiation tactic. This is despite ongoing diplomatic efforts and preliminary talks about ceasefires and hostage releases involving regional actors and the U.S. [3]. The plan includes five principles to end the war in the Gaza Strip: Israel's military control of the coastal region, complete disarmament of Hamas, demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, establishment of an alternative civilian government, and Israel retaining control of about three-quarters of the coastal strip where about two million Palestinians live [4].
The Gaza war was sparked by the Hamas and other Islamic terrorist organizations' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and over 250 hostages [6]. There are currently approximately 50 hostages in the hands of Hamas, of whom about 20 are believed to still be alive [4].
The UN and international aid organizations are already warning of a famine in the besieged Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that he is more determined than ever to free the hostages, dismantle Hamas, and ensure that no threat to the State of Israel ever comes from the Gaza Strip under the rule of the terrorist organization [2].
References: [1] BBC News. (2023). Israel approves plan to take Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-56251896 [2] Reuters. (2023). Netanyahu says Israel does not want to permanently occupy Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/netanyahu-says-israel-does-not-want-permanently-occupy-gaza-2023-10-10/ [3] Al Jazeera. (2023). Israel and Hamas in talks over new Gaza ceasefire. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/10/israel-and-hamas-in-talks-over-new-gaza-ceasefire [4] Haaretz. (2023). Israel's Gaza plan: What it entails, what it doesn't. [online] Available at: https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/.premium-israel-s-gaza-plan-what-it-entails-what-it-doesn-t-1.9876244 [5] The Guardian. (2023). Netanyahu accused of prolonging Gaza war for political reasons. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/10/netanyahu-accused-of-prolonging-gaza-war-for-political-reasons [6] AP News. (2023). Death toll in Gaza rises to over 1,200, with hundreds of hostages taken. [online] Available at: https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-strip-middle-east-conflict-terrorism-palestinian-authority-4d21a870963413581d805d03191bc68f
- The Israeli government's decision to take full control of Gaza City, as part of a long-term military plan, has raised concerns among policy-and-legislation experts regarding potential catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians, particularly in the context of war-and-conflicts.
- Critics in the realm of general-news and politics have accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prolonging the war for political reasons, given the ongoing diplomatic efforts and preliminary talks about ceasefires and hostage releases, suggesting a closure of opportunities for negotiation and resolution.
