Israel has authorized a new war strategy that calls for occupying the Gaza Strip completely and remaining there indefinitely.
Israel’s New Plan: Full Control Over Gaza
This decision was made during a cabinet meeting, following months of war between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters in Gaza.
The plan includes moving large numbers of people in Gaza further south. It also involves stopping humanitarian aid from being accessed by Hamas. Officials say this is meant to weaken Hamas and stop the group from using aid for their own purposes.
While the plan talks about giving out aid to people, the supplies have not been allowed to enter Gaza yet. The United Nations (UN) has rejected parts of this plan. The UN says it could leave many people without the help they desperately need. They described it as a strategy to control basic items like food and medicine in a way that may increase suffering.
The blockade on Gaza continues. That means goods, supplies, and other necessities are not freely allowed into the region. International groups and human rights organizations have criticized this blockade. They are worried about the deteriorating humanitarian situation that is impacting Gaza’s citizens, particularly the elderly and children.
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Military Buildup and Offensive Goals
On Monday morning, Israeli leaders officially approved the new plan. This came shortly after Israel called up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers. These additional troops are expected to be part of the wider ground offensive.
According to officials, the goal of this expanded military action is to damage Hamas’s ability to operate. They say the plan will help push Hamas away from power. Part of this strategy includes making sure humanitarian aid does not go through Hamas. Israel feels that Hamas obtains more support and authority when it disseminates aid.
The plan also involves capturing and holding areas across Gaza. In simple words, this means Israeli forces will go into different parts of the Gaza Strip and stay there. The length of time they plan to remain has not been shared.
Officials say that to achieve these war goals, many civilians will need to be moved from their homes. Most of them will be pushed toward the southern parts of Gaza. But this will make the current crisis even worse.In addition to being congested, the southern regions already lack access to enough food, clean water, and healthcare.
Moving so many people in such a short period of time might be extremely detrimental, according to international organizations. Since the start of the conflict, many families have already experienced many displacements. Living in makeshift tents or crowded shelters, they struggle daily to survive.
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Humanitarian Situation Remains Dire
The local health ministry reports that since the start of the ground offensive in Gaza, almost 52,000 Palestinians have been dead. The region is one of the most densely populated areas in the world, and the damage from constant airstrikes and ground fighting has left entire neighborhoods in ruins.
The war began after a deadly attack launched from Gaza killed around 1,200 people in Israel. During that attack, some 250 people were taken hostage. Since then, fighting has continued with brief pauses.
One of those short pauses came during a fragile ceasefire earlier this year. During that time, some hostages were returned, and there was an exchange of prisoners. However, the ceasefire did not last. Fighting resumed, and the situation has only grown worse since then.
The UN has raised strong concerns about Israel’s new plan. It rejected the idea of setting up aid distribution points controlled by Israel. The UN said that this plan might be used to control access to life-saving resources. They believe that this could become a military tool instead of a humanitarian one.
Humanitarian groups are warning that people in Gaza are facing extreme shortages of food, water, and medical care. Hospitals are struggling to treat the wounded. Many doctors are working without enough supplies, and many buildings, including schools and shelters, have been destroyed.
The constant movement of people fleeing from one part of Gaza to another is making the situation even more dangerous. Many of these people are children, elderly individuals, and others who are vulnerable. Without enough aid reaching them, their lives are at serious risk.
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Despite the growing criticism and global concern, the plan to take over all of Gaza and remain there continues to move forward. The international community remains divided, and the people of Gaza are left to face the consequences of an ongoing war.