International community urged to swiftly intervene in allegations of impending full takeover of Gaza by authority figures
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans for the continuation of the war in the Gaza Strip, with a focus on the occupation and control of Gaza City as the first phase towards controlling the entire Gaza Strip. This move aims to dismantle Hamas' control and eventually hand over governance of Gaza to friendly Arab forces.
The operation, which is expected to last several months, could potentially displace around 1 million Palestinians in Gaza City and surrounding areas. The Israeli government has outlined three main war objectives:
- Defeat Hamas: The primary goal is to root out Hamas from Gaza to stop its militant activities and control the region's security threats.
- Secure the release of hostages held by Hamas: A key objective is to recover the hostages Hamas has detained, but military escalation risks endangering them.
- Establish a security perimeter and neutralize future threats: The objective is to create a safe security zone and prevent Gaza from being used as a launchpad for attacks on Israel in the future. Israel does not intend to keep Gaza permanently but to pass it to Arab forces who will govern it properly.
These war objectives, while supported by the Israeli cabinet, face opposition from top Israeli generals who warn that they may endanger hostages and place Israel in prolonged military governance over Gaza's population of about 2 million. The plan represents a significant escalation of the conflict amid mounting humanitarian concerns and international calls for ceasefire.
The Palestinian Authority has condemned "leaks about the occupation of Gaza" and perceives them as a possible indication of Israel's serious intentions, pressure tactics, or trial balloons. The Authority has called on the international community to intervene urgently to prevent the implementation of these leaks.
Gideon Saar, Israel's foreign minister, has stated Israel's intention to put the issue of the hostages "at the center of the global agenda". The exact nature and scope of the operations in the Gaza Strip are not specified, but Channel 12 reported that they will include areas where hostages are being held.
Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with his cabinet on Tuesday to discuss further instructions on how to achieve these war objectives. Meanwhile, Gideon Saar has initiated a UN Security Council session on this issue, with the safety and fate of the hostages in the Gaza Strip at stake in the ongoing conflict.
The Israeli government's war objectives, as announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, involve defeating Hamas, securing the release of hostages, and establishing a security perimeter in the Gaza Strip. However, these objectives have sparked concern among top Israeli generals and the international community due to the potential danger to hostages and prolonged military governance over Gaza's population. The Palestinian Authority has appealed to the international community to prevent the implementation of these plans, while Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has emphasized the importance of addressing the hostage issue on the global stage.
