Israel's Prime Minister, Netanyahu, pledges population relocation from Gaza following security cabinet backing for a plan aimed at "subjugating" the territory.
In a shocking turn of events, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a major military operation to conquered Gaza, displacing its entire population to the south of the enclave. The security cabinet approved this plan, code-named "Gideon's Chariots," which aims to subdue Hamas and secure the release of all hostages.
The operation was discussed amidst tension over humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza. Israel intends to maintain military control over the territory indefinitely, with no plans to evacuate following the operation, even in exchange for hostages. This decision has raised concerns of ethnic cleansing and potential violations of international law.
Netanyahu's video message on Monday confirmed the impending operation, saying, "We're finally going to conquer the Gaza Strip." He emphasized that the military would remain in captured areas indefinitely to protect Israeli communities and prevent arms smuggling to Hamas. However, Defense Minister Itamar Ben Gvir criticized the military's top spokesman for suggesting that the army is above the political echelon.
The "highest goal" of the operation, according to the military's top spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, is the return of the hostages, not the defeat of Hamas. This contrasts with Netanyahu's previous statement that the war's supreme goal is the defeat of Israel's enemies.
Meanwhile, Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich expressed his support for the operation, suggesting that annexing Gaza is a possibility. He asserted that once the military expands its operations in the enclave, it will not pull back, even if Hamas agrees to a new hostage deal.
This controversial move has been met with criticism from international organizations, which argue that Israel's actions violate international law and risk creating a man-made famine, with some accusing Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war—a war crime.
In response to the criticism, the Israeli government announced potential plans to bypass Hamas and deliver aid directly to the Palestinian population using a private foundation. However, aid agencies working in the occupied Palestinian territory have rejected this new framework, stating that it would fail to ensure aid reaches Gaza's most vulnerable residents.
- Gideon, the military's top spokesman, clarified that the operation's "highest goal" is the return of hostages, not the defeat of Hamas.
- Despite this, Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich suggested annexing Gaza as a possibility, implying a long-term Israeli presence in the region.
- Criticism from international organizations has arisen, claiming that Israel's actions violate international law and may trigger a man-made famine.
- Although the Israeli government proposed delivering aid directly to Gaza's population through a private foundation, aid agencies working in the occupied Palestinian territory have rejected this approach, fearing it would not reach the enclave's most vulnerable residents.
