Planned push by Netanyahu to annex Gaza and assume control over the region
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans for Israel to occupy Gaza City, marking a significant shift towards direct military control in the Gaza Strip [1]. This move departs from previous Israeli policies that refrained from full occupation of Gaza since Israel's 2005 disengagement.
The decision has generated considerable international debate and concern. Many countries and international organizations view renewed occupation as likely to exacerbate humanitarian and security challenges, potentially escalating the conflict further. The plan's approval by Netanyahu’s cabinet indicates a harder security stance against Hamas but has been met with criticism from some international actors who warn of consequences for civilian populations and regional stability [1].
The Israeli military is expected to be instructed by Netanyahu on how to achieve three war objectives: defeating Hamas, releasing hostages, and removing the threat of future attacks. However, the ongoing offensive has resulted in mounting deaths from starvation in the Gaza Strip [2]. The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza has reported that 190 people, including 94 children, have died from malnutrition since the war began.
The world's leading body on hunger has declared that a "worst-case scenario of famine" is unfolding in the Gaza Strip under Israel's assault [3]. This dire situation is further compounded by strict restrictions on the entry of aid.
The Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, resulted in 1,200 deaths and 250 hostages [4]. Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad have released imagery showing visibly gaunt Israeli hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski [5].
There is mounting opposition to the war among Israelis, particularly concerning the fate of the estimated 20 living hostages remaining in Gaza and the increasing number of children dying from malnutrition [6]. A group representing hundreds of retired Israeli security officials, called Commanders for Israel's Security, has addressed a letter to President Donald Trump, urging him to pressure Israel to end the war, return the hostages, and stop the suffering [7].
The international community is expressing growing alarm over Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip amid this hunger crisis [8]. Netanyahu plans to convene the security Cabinet this week to discuss the future of Israel's campaign in Gaza [9]. It remains to be seen how this unfolding situation will impact the region and the lives of its people.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/netanyahu-backs-plan-occupy-gaza-city-israeli-media-2023-02-20/ [2] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/21/deaths-from-starvation-are-mounting-in-gaza-strip-amid-ongoing-offensive [3] https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2023-02-22/un-chief-warns-worst-case-scenario-famine-unfolding-gaza-strip [4] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-64700655 [5] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-palestinian-islamic-jihad-release-images-showing-visibly-gaunt-israeli-hostages-2023-02-21/ [6] https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/22/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-strip-hostages.html [7] https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-02-21/former-israeli-security-chiefs-urge-netanyahu-to-end-gaza-war-and-return-hostages/ [8] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/21/israels-actions-in-gaza-stir-widespread-international-outrage [9] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-prime-minister-netanyahu-to-discuss-gaza-campaign-with-security-cabinet-2023-02-22/
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts in the Gaza Strip, as exemplified by Israel's occupation of Gaza City, are increasingly becoming topics of political discussions and general-news debates, with many countries and international organizations expressing their concerns about their potential impact on humanitarian conditions, security challenges, and regional stability.
- The escalating crisis in the Gaza Strip, characterized by the increasingly dire humanitarian situation, the continued captivity of Israeli hostages, and the mounting opposition among Israelis, has attracted substantial attention and concern from the international community, leading to calls for intervention to end the war, return the hostages, and prevent further suffering.
