Israel's Prime Minister, Netanyahu, expresses intentions to seize military authority over the entire Gaza Strip.
In the heart of Gaza City, Aya Mohammad, a 30-year-old mother, has returned with her family to their community after repeated displacement. Meanwhile, tensions escalate on the other side of the enclave, as Israel's plan to take full military control of Gaza sparks international concern.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his intention to take military control of all of Gaza, a move that has been approved by the Israeli security cabinet. However, this plan has been strongly condemned by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, who insists it violates international law and contradicts the International Court of Justice ruling that Israel must end its occupation and respect Palestinian self-determination.
The potential implications of Israel's military takeover are severe. The UN warns that such escalation would worsen the already devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, leading to massive forced displacement, increased casualties, widespread destruction, and atrocity crimes.
The UN also calls for allowing unhindered humanitarian aid to Gaza civilians and demands the immediate release of all hostages held by Palestinian armed groups, alongside the release of Palestinians arbitrarily detained by Israel. The overall message emphasizes the urgent need to end the war and pursue peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians.
The Hostages Families Forum, which represents captives held in Gaza, has urged the military Chief of Staff to oppose widening the war and the government to accept a deal to end the war and free the remaining hostages. So far, nearly 200 Palestinians have died of starvation in Gaza since the war began, with nearly half of them being children, according to Gaza's health ministry.
The conflict began in October 2023 when Hamas launched a deadly attack on southern Israeli communities, resulting in the death of about 1,200 people and the taking of 251 hostages to Gaza. Netanyahu's government has insisted on total victory over Hamas, but opinions among Israelis are divided.
Opinion polls show that most Israelis want the war to end in a deal that would see the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas. The mother of one hostage has urged people to take to the streets to voice their opposition to expanding the campaign.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under intense international pressure to reach a ceasefire agreement. However, the idea of Israeli forces thrusting into areas they do not already hold in Gaza has generated alarm among some Israelis. The security cabinet session followed a tense meeting with the head of the military, who had reportedly pushed back on expanding the campaign.
In the midst of this, life continues in Gaza. Rabeeha Jamal, a 65-year-old mother of six, has remained in her house in Gaza despite warnings from the Israeli military to leave. Despite the ongoing conflict, she chooses to stay, hoping for a peaceful resolution and a return to normalcy for her family and the people of Gaza.
[1] Source: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, statement on Israel's plan to take full military control of Gaza.
- The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has strongly condemned Israel's plan to take military control of Gaza, asserting it violates international law and contradicts the International Court of Justice ruling.
- The UN also emphasizes the need for unhindered humanitarian aid to Gaza civilians and demands the immediate release of all hostages held by Palestinian armed groups, alongside the release of Palestinians arbitrarily detained by Israel.
- Opinion polls reveal that most Israelis want the war in Gaza to end in a deal that would see the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under intense international pressure to reach a ceasefire agreement, but the idea of Israeli forces thrusting into areas they do not already hold in Gaza has generated alarm among some Israelis.
- Life in Gaza continues amidst the conflict, with residents like Rabeeha Jamal, a 65-year-old mother of six, choosing to stay in her house despite warnings from the Israeli military, hoping for a peaceful resolution and a return to normalcy.
