Israeli prime minister Netanyahu justifies expanded military operations in Gaza, indicating they will exceed initially disclosed dimensions.
Israel's military offensive in Gaza, aimed at seizing control of key areas, has intensified, causing widespread displacement and humanitarian crises for the civilian population.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed the military to bring in more foreign journalists to cover the ongoing operations, which focus on Gaza City and central camps such as Muwasi. The plan involves forcibly displacing up to 800,000 civilians from Gaza City by 7 October 2025, following a three-month encirclement and two months of clearing central Gaza areas of Palestinian armed groups [1].
The offensive has taken a heavy toll on civilians, with reports of starvation, malnutrition, and displacement. Restrictions on food and aid have led to severe shortages, and there have been reports of at least 17 aid seekers killed near the Morag corridor, a key access point for humanitarian relief [2][3]. Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry reported dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries amid ongoing strikes.
The United Nations and other international bodies have emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian access and the protection of civilians, warning that the offensive risks igniting further regional instability [2].
Netanyahu has blamed Hamas for civilian deaths, destruction, and aid shortages in Gaza. However, Hamas has responded to Netanyahu's remarks with a lengthy statement, summing them up as "blatant lies" [1].
In response to the crisis, the U.S. defended Israel at the United Nations Security Council meeting, stating that Israel has the right to decide what's best for its security and calling allegations of genocide in Gaza false [1]. Other council members and U.N. officials expressed alarm, with China calling the "collective punishment" of people in Gaza unacceptable and Russia warning against a "reckless intensification of hostilities" [1].
Domestic opposition to the war exists in Israel, with protests demanding ceasefire and hostages' release. However, government officials argue that ending the war without eliminating Hamas would prolong conflict and endanger security [3].
The crisis has taken a heavy toll on children, with two Palestinian children dying of malnutrition-related causes on Saturday, bringing the toll among children to 100 since the war began. In central Gaza, four people were killed by Israeli gunfire while trying to reach an aid site [1]. At least 117 adults have died of malnutrition-related causes since June.
The deaths occurred in various locations, including the Morag corridor, Teina area, Zikim crossing, central Gaza, Khan Younis, and Rafah. Six other aid-seekers were killed while trying to reach GHF sites in Khan Younis and Rafah [1]. Late Sunday, heavy bombardment was reported in Gaza City, resulting in the death of Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif and others [1].
Netanyahu has stated that there is no hunger in Gaza, but a shortage. Despite this, he has expressed a desire to increase the number of aid distribution sites in Gaza [1]. He also thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for his "steadfast support" [1].
References: [1] Associated Press. (2025). Israel's Gaza offensive: What you need to know. [online] Available at: https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-israel-gaza-strip-benjamin-netanyahu-hamas-military-conflict-78c80d6203c084e484811b922686f234 [2] Al Jazeera. (2025). Israel's Gaza offensive: What is happening and why? [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/15/israels-gaza-offensive-what-is-happening-and-why [3] Reuters. (2025). Israel's Gaza offensive: Protests in Israel demand ceasefire and hostages' release. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israels-gaza-offensive-protests-israel-demand-ceasefire-hostages-release-2025-06-18/
- The Israeli-Palitinian conflict, marked by war-and-conflicts and political tensions, has led to a severe crisis in Gaza, involving general-news stories of displacement, humanitarian crises, and restrictions on food and aid.
- Amid Gaza's war-and-conflicts and humanitarian crisis, there have been calls by the United Nations and other international bodies for protection of civilians, highlighting the potential for crime-and-justice issues, such as allegations of genocide and collective punishment, to further escalate the regional instability.
