Israel's strategic occupation of Gaza City results in mass displacement of thousands of Palestinians
The Israeli government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has given the go-ahead for a plan to occupy Gaza City. This move is part of a broader offensive by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that could potentially extend to the entire Gaza Strip.
The objective of this operation is to defeat Hamas, disarm the group, return hostages, demilitarize Gaza, and establish a new civilian government that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority. The plan envisions Israel maintaining full security control over Gaza even after the conflict ends.
According to reports by the Agence France-Presse, the IDF is expected to issue eviction orders to around 1 million Palestinians in Gaza City and surrounding areas, potentially resulting in a significant displacement of civilians. This operation could last several months.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has stated that Israel does not intend to permanently occupy Gaza but seeks a security perimeter and hopes to hand over governance to Arab forces capable of properly managing the area. However, the occupation and military operations are anticipated to cause large-scale civilian displacement and deepen the humanitarian crisis.
The United Nations has expressed serious concern about the humanitarian impact of this plan. The IDF's intention to surround Gaza City for around three months, followed by additional operations to control the central Gaza camps and clear Palestinians armed groups from the area, could lead to the displacement of approximately 800,000 people, many of whom have already been displaced previously.
The Israeli government currently occupies around 75% of the Gaza enclave, and the proposed plan involves the displacement of all Palestinians to camps in the central Strip. This development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine and has raised concerns about potential human rights violations.
[1] Agence France-Presse, "Israeli cabinet approves Gaza City takeover plan," The Jerusalem Post, 1st March 2023. [2] Agence France-Presse, "UN warns of humanitarian crisis as Israel plans Gaza City takeover," Al Jazeera, 2nd March 2023.
- The international community, particularly the United Nations, is closely monitoring the situation in Gaza City as the Israeli government's plan to displace around 1 million Palestinians is expected to deepen the ongoing humanitarian crisis and potentially violate human rights.
- This dispute over Gaza City, part of Israel's broader offensive against Hamas, is not merely a matter of local politics or war-and-conflicts in the region; it has extended to the realm of general news due to its significant humanitarian implications and potential global impact.
