Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu slated to gain control over the entire Gaza Strip
In a move that could have significant consequences, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet has approved a plan to take full control of Gaza City, marking the first phase of potentially occupying the entire Gaza Strip [1]. The intended goal is to defeat Hamas, disarm the group, demilitarize Gaza, and maintain Israeli security control even after the conflict ends.
However, the plan has raised concerns among military leaders and international bodies. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has urged Israel to halt the complete military takeover, warning that it violates international law and could lead to "massive forced displacement, more killing, more unbearable suffering, senseless destruction, and atrocity crimes" [2][3].
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is already dire, with calls for unfettered humanitarian aid access to alleviate civilian suffering. The UN emphasizes that the focus should be on saving lives rather than intensifying the war, and has called for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages held by Palestinian armed groups, as well as the release of Palestinians arbitrarily detained by Israel [2][3].
A major concern is the looting of aid shipments, which could potentially worsen the situation for the people living in Gaza. Reports suggest that out of around 2,600 trucks, about 2,300 have been intercepted, according to UN reports [1].
Meanwhile, in Lebanon, the government is under pressure to enforce the disarmament of Hezbollah, a militia and political party. A cabinet meeting is scheduled today to discuss the state's control of all weapons and the consequent disarmament of Hezbollah [4]. However, Hezbollah has so far refused to agree to binding disarmament with a specific timeline.
The potential for a new war with Israel remains a concern in Lebanon, despite a ceasefire between the Jewish state and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia since November. Another person was killed at the beginning of this week in Lebanon, identified as a "Hezbollah terrorist" by the Lebanese Ministry of Health [5].
Israeli soldiers are still stationed at five posts in southern Lebanon, a legacy of the 2006 war between the two countries. The Israeli military continues to attack almost daily in northern Lebanon [6].
Peter Lerner, Israel's former military spokesman, has criticized the plan, describing it as political survival disguised as national security [7]. If the Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, is not in agreement with the plan, he should resign, according to an official [8].
The removal of all Hamas tunnels and bunkers could take years, and there are currently still 50 hostages in Hamas' custody, of whom 20 are believed to be alive [1].
There are fears that Lebanon could once again slip into a political crisis if members of Hezbollah leave the government [9]. Lerner believes that the plan is not directed against Hamas, but against Israel, and he hopes that Zamir "has the courage to resist this absurd plan" [10].
In summary, Israel's plan to occupy Gaza may achieve its military goals against Hamas but risks extensive civilian harm, entrenched conflict, and international condemnation due to likely violations of humanitarian law and human rights. It may lead to long-term instability in the region and complicate prospects for a peaceful two-state solution [1][2][3].
The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet's plan to take control of Gaza City, part of a potential occupation of the entire Gaza Strip, is surrounded by controversies, particularly in the realms of war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has appealed to Israel to halt the complete military takeover, asserting that it contravenes international law and could lead to dire consequences.
Military leaders and international bodies express concerns about the potential long-term instability in the region and the possible violations of humanitarian law and human rights that could result from Israel's plan to occupy Gaza.
