Military operation in Gaza given green light by Israeli authorities
In the heart of the Middle East, the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza continues to unfold, with intense public pressure mounting on the Israeli government. Protests have erupted across Israel, as citizens demand action to secure the release of the 49 hostages still held captive in Gaza, 27 of whom have tragically lost their lives, according to the military.
The Israeli military operation in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, with intense bombing following a Hamas-led attack on Israel. Ground operations started on October 13, and a full-scale invasion was launched on October 27, with the stated goals of destroying Hamas, rescuing hostages, neutralizing threats from Gaza, and restoring displaced Israeli residents. Fighting continued for over a year until a ceasefire was implemented on January 19, 2025.
However, preparations for further escalation have continued, with Israel calling up an additional 60,000 reservists and extending the service of 20,000 more as part of "Operation Gideon's Chariot" in August 2025. Israeli forces were already operating in key Gaza City neighborhoods, aiming to dismantle Hamas’s leadership and underground tunnel networks.
The conflict has taken a severe toll on both sides, with over 50,500 deaths in Gaza reported by April 2025, mostly civilians including many women and children. Despite significant blows to Hamas leadership, parts of the group remain active and continue launching attacks toward Israel.
The international community has expressed growing concern over the situation, with calls to end the suffering of the over two million residents of the besieged territory, threatened with "widespread famine" by the UN. Hundreds of retired air force pilots demonstrated in Tel Aviv, chanting "Stop the war!" to secure the release of the hostages.
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has stated that Israel's plan does not aim to occupy Gaza, but to demilitarize it. He also emphasized the importance of increasing the availability and preparation of troops for the recruitment of reservists, a politically sensitive issue due to the refusal of ultra-Orthodox Jews to conscript.
Meanwhile, Egypt is working with Qatar and the United States towards a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. A delegation of Hamas has arrived in Cairo for "preliminary talks" with Egyptian officials on a new truce. Former general Dan Halutz, a former chief of staff, has testified that he opposes this war in Israel, warning the government about the protests.
As the crisis in Gaza continues, the international community watches with bated breath, hoping for a peaceful resolution to this long-standing conflict.
References:
- BBC News
- The New York Times
- The Guardian
- The ongoing conflict in Gaza, marked by war-and-conflicts, remains a major focus of general-news, with the Israeli-Hamas clash persisting and involving a multitude of political implications.
- As the international community seeks a resolution to the Gaza crisis, ongoing preparation for further escalation, as exemplified by Israel's "Operation Gideon's Chariot," underscores the complexities of the politics surrounding this war-and-conflict.
