Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday pledged to launch a new Gaza offensive “fairly quickly,” saying Israel must “complete the job” against Hamas to free hostages and secure its border.
Plan Targets Two Remaining Hamas Strongholds
Netanyahu spoke after his security cabinet approved a contentious plan to take control of Gaza City, despite criticism from global leaders. He said the operation would focus on the last two Hamas strongholds, accusing the group of refusing to disarm without an independent Palestinian state.
“We want a security belt next to our border, but we don’t want to stay in Gaza,” Netanyahu said.
Safe Zones Before Offensive
Netanyahu claimed the army would first establish “safe zones” for civilians to leave Gaza City, which once housed a million residents before the two-year-old war. Palestinians argue that previous “safe zones” failed to protect civilians from Israeli strikes.
Military and Global Pushback
Israel’s military chief warned against occupying the entire Gaza Strip, saying an expanded offensive could endanger hostages and lead to drawn-out guerrilla warfare.
European representatives at the U.N. Security Council—including France, Denmark, Greece, Slovenia, and the UK – issued a joint statement warning that expanding military operations would worsen famine in Gaza and prolong civilian suffering.
Famine and Aid Controversy
Aid agencies report widespread malnutrition, blaming Israeli restrictions on supplies. Israel rejects the accusation, blaming Hamas for aid diversion and asserting that large amounts of aid have entered Gaza. The U.S. defended Netanyahu’s position while pledging to boost humanitarian deliveries, including overland routes.
Gaza’s health ministry said five more people, including two children, died of starvation in the past 24 hours, bringing the toll from malnutrition to 217, including 100 children.
Also Read: Netanyahu Says Israel Will ‘Complete the Job’ in Gaza Despite Mounting Deaths
Deadly Aid Drops
The Hamas-run Gaza government reported 23 deaths from airdropped aid, including a 14-year-old boy killed by a falling aid box in central Gaza. Officials again urged the use of land crossings for safe delivery of food, medicine, and infant formula.
International Concerns Over Escalation
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani cautioned that a deeper invasion could become “a Vietnam for Israeli soldiers,” urging Israel to heed its own army’s warnings.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people in southern Israel and took 251 hostages. Israeli officials say 20 of the 50 hostages still in Gaza are alive. Palestinian health authorities report that Israel’s response has killed more than 61,000 people and devastated much of the enclave.
