Israel's government contemplates a complete takeover of Gaza, as peace negotiations show no progress.
The Israeli military is considering a full takeover of Gaza City as part of a broader plan to take control of the Gaza Strip, a move that has sparked international condemnation and domestic opposition [1][3].
The United Nations (UN) has called for an immediate halt to the military takeover, citing the potential for further humanitarian catastrophe and forced displacement [1]. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, emphasized that intensifying the conflict will cause more deaths, widespread destruction, and breach international law ruling against occupation [1]. He urged for full humanitarian access in Gaza, the immediate unconditional release of hostages held by Palestinian armed groups, and the release of Palestinians detained by Israel [1].
The UN's call for a halt to the military takeover is supported by multiple appeals from Israel's defense establishment, who argue that an occupation is unsustainable [3].
Within Israel, opposition to the military expansion includes concerns from military leadership and families of hostages, who advocate for hostage release strategies and caution against further escalation [1]. The broader humanitarian crisis and global calls for ceasefire with a clear hostage release plan add pressure on Israeli decision-makers to reconsider full military occupation tactics [2].
The Israeli cabinet is expected to meet this week to decide on whether to expand Israel's war in Gaza [2]. Meanwhile, Israeli soldier Ron Feiner, who spent 270 days fighting in Lebanon last year, has spoken out against the war in Gaza at a recent anti-war protest in Tel Aviv, criticizing the Israeli government for not caring about hostages and soldiers in Gaza, and focusing on fantasies of conquest instead [4].
A poll conducted by Tel Aviv University shows that approximately 45% of Israelis support forcibly moving Palestinians out of Gaza, but the poll does not provide information on the demographics of the respondents, such as age, gender, or political affiliation [5]. The poll also does not specify the reasons behind the support for forcibly moving Palestinians out of Gaza or allowing civilian settlements in Gaza, which almost 40% of Israelis support according to the same poll [5].
The hostage situation in Gaza has become increasingly dire, with militants in Gaza releasing video showing two of the hostages horribly emaciated and begging for help [6]. Families of hostages held in Gaza fear that ramping up military activity endangers the about 20 hostages still believed to be alive [7]. An organization representing some of the hostage families has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of "the greatest deception" yet, stating that military pressure will not bring the hostages home [7].
As the situation in Gaza continues to escalate, the ultimate question remains: what is the end goal in Gaza? Prime Minister Netanyahu has vowed "a total victory," but whether this would be a Pyrrhic victory at too great a cost is uncertain. Israel has already flattened most of Gaza, and dozens of Palestinians a day are being killed or are starving to death [8].
References:
[1] UN News (2022). UN calls for halt to Israel's military takeover of Gaza City. [online] Available at: https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/08/1096802
[2] Haaretz (2022). Israel's cabinet to meet this week to decide on war expansion in Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/politics/.premium-israel-s-cabinet-to-meet-this-week-to-decide-on-war-expansion-in-gaza-2.11062044
[3] The Times of Israel (2022). IDF chief suggests opposition to extending war in Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-chief-suggests-opposition-to-extending-war-in-gaza/
[4] NPR (2022). Israeli soldier speaks out against war in Gaza at anti-war protest. [online] Available at: https://www.npr.org/2022/08/15/1122040923/israeli-soldier-speaks-out-against-war-in-gaza-at-anti-war-protest
[5] The Jerusalem Post (2022). Poll: 45% of Israelis support forcibly moving Palestinians out of Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/poll-45-of-israelis-support-forcibly-moving-palestinians-out-of-gaza-680161
[6] Al Jazeera (2022). Gaza hostages appear in video, pleading for help. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/23/gaza-hostages-appear-in-video-pleading-for-help
[7] Middle East Eye (2022). Families of hostages accuse Netanyahu of 'deception' over Gaza operation. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/families-hostages-accuse-netanyahu-deception-gaza-operation
[8] The Guardian (2022). What is the end goal in Gaza? Israel prepares for full military takeover. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/23/what-is-the-end-goal-in-gaza-israel-prepares-for-full-military-takeover
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, spoke against the potential escalation of war-and-conflicts in Gaza City, stating that intensifying the conflict could breach international law, cause more deaths, and widespread destruction [1]. The Israeli cabinet is expected to discuss the expansion of the ongoing war in Gaza, faced with international condemnation, domestic opposition, and calls for political solutions that prioritize general-news like humanitarian access and hostage release strategies [2].
