Plans for a broader military operation in Gaza, announced by Netanyahu, elicit strong criticism and disappointment both domestically and internationally
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a new offensive aimed at regaining control of the Gaza Strip and defeating the militant group Hamas. The operation, which is expected to be a significant escalation in the Israel-Hamas conflict, seeks to disarm and demilitarize the region, resolve the ongoing hostage situation, and establish an alternative civilian government in Gaza.
The offensive comes after a terrorist attack in October 2023, during which about 250 hostages were seized, and around 50 hostages remain in Gaza. The operation's stated principle is the return of all hostages, both alive and deceased.
The Israeli security Cabinet has identified three key strongholds for the operation: Gaza City, the central camps, and Al-Mawasi. The camps are housing over half a million Palestinians displaced during Israel's military campaign, according to a report by the United Nations.
The offensive has faced criticism from various quarters. World leaders condemned Netanyahu's plan at an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting, while an association of Israel air force reserve and retired pilots have called for an immediate end to the planned offensive.
The operation is expected to displace around 1 million Palestinians from Gaza City and its surroundings, as the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) prepare eviction orders ahead of the new operation. Humanitarian aid is planned for civilians outside combat zones, but the operation is expected to last several months and cause significant upheaval.
The war in Gaza has been causing unnecessary harm to innocent civilians, with more than 61,000 Palestinians, including thousands of children, having died since Israel began its military campaign on October 7, 2023. Palestinians are continuing to die from both Israeli fire and hunger, with Netanyahu denying the existence of starvation in Gaza, but more than 200 Palestinians having died from extreme malnutrition, according to Palestinian health officials.
The operation's long-term security objectives have raised concerns about the humanitarian implications. Al-Sharif, one of the killed Al Jazeera staff members, was accused by the Israeli military of being the head of a terrorist cell in Hamas. However, Al-Sharif and Al Jazeera have previously denied these accusations.
Lishay Miran-Lavi, wife of hostage Omri Miran, has called for a strike by Israel's largest companies, trade unions, and the tech sector to save hostages and soldiers. The operation's goal, as stated by Netanyahu, is to free Gaza from Hamas and establish safe zones for the civilian population of Gaza City to move out.
The U.S. government, under President Trump, is reportedly not intervening and allowing Israel to make its own decisions about the offensive. Netanyahu has announced that the timeline for the action is fairly quick, with the aim of establishing safe zones for the civilian population of Gaza City to move out.
[1] Information sourced from various news agencies and press releases.
- The ongoing operation, initiated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, involves not only the Gaza Strip and Hamas, but also extends to general news topics such as crime and justice, politics, and war-and-conflicts, as it encompasses the rescue of hostages and addressing the hostage situation.
- The announced Israeli offensive, which has garnered criticism from world leaders, humanitarian organizations, and local associations, has significant implications for crime and justice, politics, war-and-conflicts, and general news, as it is anticipated to cause displacement, upheaval, and potential harm to innocent civilians.
