Hamas face pressure from Israel, with concerns raised over potential Gaza takeover - Pressure Urged on Hamas by Israel - Warnings Issued for Gaza
In the ongoing Middle East conflict, Israel's proposed military takeover of the Gaza Strip has sparked concern and condemnation from various quarters. The UN, human rights organisations, and regional leaders have voiced their apprehensions about the potential humanitarian and legal consequences of such a move.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly consulting with army chief Eyal Zamir about further steps in the ongoing war, which has been going on for 22 months. However, the debate within Israel's political circles is far from unanimous. Opposition leader Yair Lapid has warned the government against fully occupying Gaza, stating that it could lead to the death of hostages.
The military leadership has significant concerns about expanding the fighting and fully occupying the Gaza Strip, as this could take years. The potential consequences of this takeover include massive forced displacement of civilians within Gaza, increased killing and suffering among the population, destruction and atrocity crimes, worsening of the already dire humanitarian situation, and a heightened risk of an entrenched cycle of violence.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called for the immediate halt of Israel's plan, stating that it violates international law and the International Court of Justice rulings demanding an end to occupation and a two-State solution that respects Palestinian self-determination. The UN urges Israel instead to prioritize saving civilian lives by allowing unrestricted humanitarian aid into Gaza and calls for the immediate release of hostages held by Palestinian armed groups as well as Palestinians detained by Israel.
Meanwhile, in Lebanon, the debate over the disarmament of Hezbollah is intensifying. Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassim has confirmed that Hezbollah refuses to commit to a concrete timeline for disarmament as long as Israel continues attacks in Lebanon and its troops are not withdrawn.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has accused countries that recently announced recognition of Palestine as a state of sabotaging a ceasefire agreement. Months of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas over a deal for a ceasefire and the release of hostages have so far been unsuccessful.
The UN representative Miroslav Jenca has warned that such a step could have catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians in Gaza. Saar stated that international pressure must be on Hamas to end the war, while Netanyahu is pushing for a full takeover of the Gaza Strip, despite concerns about the safety of hostages.
Channel 13 reported that Netanyahu still tends towards the takeover of the coastal strip, despite concerns about the safety of hostages. There are currently still 20 living hostages in the hands of Hamas, according to Israeli estimates. The UN representative Jenca has condemned the treatment of hostages and reiterated the UN's demand for their unconditional release.
Israel is calling for more international pressure on Hamas at the UN Security Council. The future of the Gaza Strip and the broader Middle East conflict remains uncertain, with tensions running high and the potential for further escalation looming large.
The Commission has emphasized the importance of maintaining the EU's politics and general news relations with Central and Eastern European countries, especially during war-and-conflicts periods, as they could be significantly impacted.
The EU's Foreign Policy Chief, Josep Borrell, has stated that the EU should support the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and urge Israel to halt its plan to take over the Gaza Strip, as it could lead to humanitarian crises, war crimes, and violations of international law.
