Israel Vows to Take Control of Gaza as Allies Threaten Action
In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel will "take control" of all of Gaza, sparking widespread condemnation from international allies. Britain, France, and Canada have attacked Israel’s expansion of its war as disproportionate, describing conditions in Gaza as "intolerable" and threatening a "concrete" response if Israel’s campaign continues.
According to The Guardian, Netanyahu made the comments in response to a joint statement from the three allied governments, which warned that they would not stand by while the Israeli government pursues "egregious actions" in Gaza. The statement, reported by The Guardian, called for Israel to cease its military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, warning that failure to do so would result in further concrete actions.
Earlier that day, Israel’s military declared an entire city a combat zone, with airstrikes killing more than 60 people. The finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, added to the rhetoric, stating that Israel’s army would "wipe out" what remains of Palestinian Gaza. The Israeli military’s actions have been widely criticized, with many describing the situation in Gaza as a humanitarian crisis.
In a rare move, Netanyahu announced on Sunday night that he would ease the 11-week siege of Gaza to prevent a "starvation crisis". The decision came after international pressure mounted over a looming famine in the region. However, the move has been criticized as insufficient, with the UN stating that only nine trucks of aid had been cleared to enter Gaza – less than 2% of daily shipments before the war.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with heavy bombardments killing hundreds of Palestinians over the weekend. The total toll from the war inside Gaza now stands at 53,486, with the majority being civilians. The Israeli military’s actions have been defended by Netanyahu, who claims that a military justification for the blockade on Gaza is necessary to prevent Hamas from stealing food aid from humanitarian agencies.
However, humanitarian organisations with decades of experience working in conflict zones have disputed this claim, stating that their aid is not being diverted. The UN and international humanitarian groups have also expressed concerns over Israel’s plan to replace their networks across Gaza with central distribution compounds secured by the Israeli military and operated by armed contractors.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, Netanyahu remains resolute in his determination to press on with the military campaign. In a video posted on Telegram on Monday, he stated that "the fighting is intense and we are making progress. We will take control of all the territory of the Strip." The Israeli military has also declared all of central Khan Younis city a "combat zone", ordering civilians to leave.
The international community remains deeply concerned over the situation in Gaza, with many calling for an immediate ceasefire and a return to negotiations. As The Guardian reported, the crisis has sparked widespread condemnation, with many describing the situation as a humanitarian catastrophe. The UK, France, and Canada have all expressed concerns over the situation, with the three countries threatening concrete action if Israel does not change its approach.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a Swiss-registered start-up, has been tasked with managing the central distribution compounds. However, its director, Jake Woods, has stated that it is unclear who will pay for the aid. The UN and international humanitarian groups have also expressed concerns over the Foundation’s links to the Israeli military, which could compromise key principles of neutrality and put staffers at risk.
As the conflict continues to escalate, the international community remains deeply concerned over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. With many calling for an immediate ceasefire and a return to negotiations, it remains to be seen how the situation will develop in the coming days.
In related news, the US has closed its Office of Palestinian Affairs, a dedicated channel to Washington. This move has been seen as a significant development in the region, with many questioning the implications for the Palestinian people.
For further reading:
‘Our hearts ache’: the fight for survival in Gaza amid Israel’s new offensive and no aid
US closes Office of Palestinian Affairs, dedicated channel to Washington
