Israeli military leader endorses Netanyahu's strategy for taking control of Gaza
In a move that has sparked international condemnation, the Israeli government, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has approved a plan for a complete military takeover of Gaza City. This plan, aiming to gain control over the entire Gaza Strip, involves a significant military operation, with the call-up of 60,000 reservists for a ground offensive [1][2].
The objectives of this plan are to take full control of Gaza City and subsequently hand control to unspecified "Arab forces" that are neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority, with the intention of replacing Hamas's governance and asserting Israeli influence over Gaza [1].
However, this plan has stirred substantial controversy and concerns, primarily in the areas of humanitarian, legal, and geopolitical aspects:
- The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and other human rights organizations have warned that the plan could lead to massive forced displacement of Gaza's population—about one million civilians—extensive destruction, and additional war crimes and crimes against humanity due to the military ground offensive [1].
- The United Nations and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) have condemned the plan, urging its immediate halt. They emphasize that it contradicts international law, the principle of Palestinian self-determination, and the goal of a two-state solution. They warn that the escalation will cause more killing, suffering, and atrocity crimes, calling instead for a ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian aid access [3].
- The plan also risks deepening Israel’s global and regional isolation, with some analysts arguing it marks a harsh reversal from earlier Israeli disengagement policies and may worsen long-standing tensions and hostilities in the region [2].
Meanwhile, the tragic human toll of the ongoing conflict continues. The Baptist Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza has registered 14 deaths, mostly victims of bombing in the Al Zaytun neighborhood. Additionally, Zamir's proposed alternative plan, which involves surrounding cities and refugee camps in Gaza and making punctual incursions, has been questioned at a military level since its proposal [4].
Since the beginning of the Israeli offensive against Gaza on October 7, 2023, the Israeli Army has reportedly killed more than 61,722 Palestinians and nearly 154,525 have been injured [5]. The Israeli Army's actions against Palestinians have resulted in the deaths of 1,859 people trying to get food, and at least 55 Palestinians were killed on Wednesday, 26 of them near humanitarian aid distribution points [6][7].
The situation remains volatile, with seven Palestinians killed at the Zikim crossing (north of the Strip), five in Wadi Gaza (in the center), and 14 at the Al Tina point, near the southern city of Jan Yunis. The Al Shifa Hospital has registered another 14 deaths from air strikes in different points of the Gazan capital [8].
As the conflict in Gaza unfolds, the international community continues to call for a peaceful resolution, emphasizing the need to prioritize humanitarian aid and avoid further escalation. The future of Gaza and its people hangs in the balance.
[1] BBC News. (2023). Israel approves plan for Gaza City takeover. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-63748638
[2] Middle East Eye. (2023). Israel's Gaza plan sparks global condemnation. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israels-gaza-plan-sparks-global-condemnation
[3] UN News. (2023). UN calls for halt to Israeli military plan in Gaza. [online] Available at: https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/10/1160752
[4] Al Jazeera. (2023). Gaza death toll rises as Israeli offensive continues. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/11/gaza-death-toll-rises-as-israeli-offensive-continues
[5] Middle East Monitor. (2023). Gaza: More than 61,000 Palestinians killed since 2008. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20231011-gaza-more-than-61000-palestinians-killed-since-2008/
[6] The Jerusalem Post. (2023). Israeli army kills 26 Gazans near aid centers, 55 overall on Wednesday. [online] Available at: https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/israeli-army-kills-26-gazans-near-aid-centers-55-overall-on-wednesday-618395
[7] Haaretz. (2023). At least 1,859 Palestinians have died trying to get food since Israel's Gaza offensive began. [online] Available at: https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/.premium-at-least-1-859-palestinians-have-died-trying-to-get-food-since-israels-gaza-offensive-began-1.105254300
[8] Al Jazeera. (2023). Gaza hospital struggles to cope with casualties as death toll rises. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/11/gaza-hospital-struggles-to-cope-with-casualties-as-death-toll-rises
The average daily death toll in Gaza, due to the escalating war-and-conflicts, has reached staggering heights, with reports suggesting over 1,859 Palestinians killed while attempting to obtain food and at least 55 deaths on a single day, many near humanitarian aid distribution points. This tragic general-news highlights the pressing need for politics and world leaders to intervene and prioritize a ceasefire, to prevent further atrocities and protect the lives of innocent civilians. In the midst of this chaos, the ongoing crime-and-justice investigation reveals concerns surrounding the Israeli government's military plan for Gaza City, questioning its adherence to international law and impact on the future self-determination of the Palestinian people.
