Israel to Intensify Military Operations in Gaza
Israel intensifies operations as ministers approve expanded Gaza action, risking a major escalation of the crisis. It intends to send tens of thousands of reserve soldiers to help the military campaign and seize more land in the beleaguered Palestinian enclave, a senior Israeli official said.
This decision comes as the war in Gaza has shown no signs of abating. Fighting resumed in mid-March after the expiration of an eight-week truce between Israel and Hamas, with both sides failing to reach a lasting agreement.
The Military Strategy: Gradual Expansion
The plan to intensify military operations will be gradual, and Israel’s military chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, confirmed the call-up of tens of thousands of reserve soldiers. The military will operate in additional areas within Gaza while continuing to target militant infrastructure.
Israel already controls a significant portion of Gaza, including key strategic zones along the border and corridors running east to west. The humanitarian situation has gotten worse, meanwhile, as the conflict has pushed the 2.3 million Palestinians who remain into ever more cramped quarters.
The Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
As Israel ramps up its military operations, Gaza’s humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate.Food shortages brought on by Israel’s siege, which includes preventing help from entering Gaza, have resulted in widespread hunger and thievery. Since March, over 2,600 people have died in Gaza, according to health officials, with many of them being women and children.
The fatal Hamas-led strike on southern Israel marked the start of the battle, which has already claimed many lives. Nearly 90% of Gaza’s population has been moved several times, and more than 52,000 people have died there. Much of Gaza is now uninhabitable due to the destruction of its infrastructure.
Deadlock in Peace Negotiations
The war has become a prolonged deadlock between Israel and Hamas, with no clear resolution in sight. Israel stated it will not end the war until it fully defeats Hamas. In contrast, Hamas has demanded a ceasefire and a political agreement that brings the war to a close. With the latest military escalation, the chances of a diplomatic breakthrough appear increasingly remote.
The Cost to the Civilian Population of Gaza
Apart from the continuous military actions, the majority of the violence in Gaza still affects the civilian population. Despite urgent pleas from humanitarian groups and international organizations, both sides remain firmly entrenched, showing little sign of easing the violence or seeking immediate solutions to the catastrophic situation.
Source: AP News
Leave a comment