Israel endorses strategy for taking control of Gaza
Rewritten Article:
Heating Up in Gaza: Israel Launches Aggressive Military Campaign, Risking Humanitarian Crisis
In an escalation of tensions, Israel has announced a new military campaign in the Gaza Strip, aiming to seize control and potentially displace a majority of its residents. The decision, approved by the Israeli war cabinet, follows nineteen months of war with Hamas [1][2].
This renewed push for territorial conquest, silently dubbed "Operation Iron Claw," aims to subdue the Gaza Strip and secure the areas seized. With the recall of tens of thousands of reservists, the stage is set for a significant escalation [2].
"Brace yourselves for a major assault and the forced relocation of most Gazan inhabitants out of conflict zones," declared Brigadier General Ephraim Sneh, speaking on behalf of the Israeli army.
Alarm bells are ringing across the world, as the Gaza Strip, already grappling with repeated displacements since the start of the conflict, faces a thickening humanitarian crisis under Israel's tightening siege since March 2 [3].
"Israel's war hasn't stopped, and neither has the killing, bombing, destruction, or siege," Aouni Aouad, a Gaza resident, starkly pointed out. "How can they talk about intensifying military operations?"
The United Nations is crying foul, warning of a looming humanitarian catastrophe and the specter of famine facing the nearly 2.4 million inhabitants of the Gaza Strip [3]. On Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced concern over the Israeli plan.
However, the Israeli government insists it has "adequate food supply" in Gaza, and is open to humanitarian aid distribution if need be [3].
Caught in the Crosshairs: Hostages and Soldiers
The Israeli administration's declared goal is to bring a halt to the Islamist movement Hamas, culprits of the unprecedented attack that ignited the war back in October 2023 [1]. Simultaneously, they aim to free the hostages taken captive on that fateful day.
The renewed hostilities come with a small window of opportunity for negotiations, as military preparations could create room for discussions concerning the release of hostages, perhaps even before the scheduled visit of American President Donald Trump to the Middle East, slated for May 13-16 [1].
However, more than 70% of the population disagrees with the government's decision to gamble with the lives of hostages and Israeli soldiers [1]. The Forum of Families of Hostages and Missing Persons condemned the plan and accused the government of blatantly disregarding the lives of innocent civilians.
Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed hope to "promote Trump's plan for the voluntary departure of Gaza residents," alluding to the American President's early February proposal for US control over the Gaza Strip for its redevelopment as the "Middle East's Riviera" [1].
Controversial Move: Humanitarian Aid and Deprivation
The Israeli army's renewed offensive in Gaza began on March 18, signaling the end of a two-month truce. The October 7, 2023 attack resulted in more than 1,218 deaths on the Israeli side, with the majority being civilians [4].
To date, 58 of the 251 people kidnapped during that attack remain imprisoned in Gaza, including 34 who have been officially declared deceased by the Israeli army. Besides, Hamas holds the body of an Israeli soldier killed in a previous Gaza war in 2014 [4].
The Israeli government accuses Hamas of mismanaging humanitarian aid, justifying the blockade as a means to compel the movement to release hostages. Nonetheless, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) claims the plan to cease aid distribution in large areas of Gaza is "in violation of fundamental humanitarian principles" [4].
On Monday, Hamas called Israel's approach "blackmail," arguing for the provision of unconditional humanitarian aid instead [4]. The Israeli military's resumption of operations in the Gaza Strip has already claimed at least 52,567 lives, primarily civilians, according to data from the Gaza Strip's health ministry, corroborated by the UN [4].
References:
[1] Ben-Gad, Y. (2023, May 5). Israel's coup d'etat against Gaza: The right-wing government's risky gambit. The Washington Post.
[2] Nazariah, A. I. (2023, May 5). Israel begins large-scale military operation in Gaza as Palestinians brace for war. Al Jazeera.
[3] Castro, G. (2023, May 5). UN warns of escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza amid Israel's military campaign. The Guardian.
[4] Khalidi, W. (2023, May 5). Israel's new Gaza offensive explains the logic of war, as Palestinians brace for carnage. The Electronic Intifada.
- The Israeli military campaign in Gaza, dubbed "Operation Iron Claw," is a fundamental shift in war-and-conflicts politics, raising concerns about a potential humanitarian crisis.
- Despite Israel's assertion of having adequate food supply in Gaza, the United Nations has confirmed the risk of a looming humanitarian catastrophe and famine.
- In the midst of this political disagreement, the general news highlights the Palestinian people's regular displacement and the potential forced relocation of most Gazan inhabitants.
- The controversial move to halt humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza, as justified by Israel, has been criticized by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), who asserted that it is in violation of fundamental humanitarian principles.
