JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel has officially launched a significant military operation in the Gaza Strip aimed at pressuring Hamas to release the remaining hostages. This announcement follows days of intense airstrikes across the Palestinian territory, resulting in hundreds of casualties. Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that the operation, named Operation Gideon Chariots, is being executed with “great force.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to escalate military actions with the objective of dismantling Hamas, the militant group that has governed Gaza for nearly two decades.
The timing of this military operation coincides with the conclusion of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East visit, which notably did not include a stop in Israel. There had been optimism that Trump’s trip could potentially facilitate a ceasefire agreement or the resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has been blocked by Israel for over two months. Despite ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Qatar’s capital, Doha, no significant progress has been made.
Hamas had previously released an Israeli-American hostage as a goodwill gesture before Trump’s visit, but continues to demand a deal that would not only end the current conflict but also lead to the withdrawal of Israeli forces—a condition that Israel has firmly rejected. The Israeli military announced via social media that it is intensifying its attacks and applying “tremendous pressure” on Hamas throughout Gaza, vowing not to cease operations until all hostages are returned and Hamas is dismantled.
Israeli officials estimate that around 23 hostages are still alive in Gaza, though there are growing concerns for the well-being of three of them. Recent reports from Gaza’s Health Ministry indicate that over 150 individuals have been killed in Israeli strikes within the last 24 hours, contributing to a staggering total of more than 3,000 fatalities since Israel resumed hostilities following a ceasefire in January.
On Saturday afternoon, an Israeli airstrike tragically claimed the lives of at least four children in the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza, as reported by al-Awda Hospital which received the bodies. Additionally, seven others were injured in the strike that targeted a residential house. Another strike in Jabaliya resulted in four fatalities, while airstrikes around Deir al-Balah in central Gaza led to 14 deaths, with many victims being transported to al-Aqsa hospital. A single airstrike on a house in this area resulted in the deaths of eight individuals, including parents and four children. There has yet to be an official comment from Israel regarding these recent strikes.
In a separate statement, the Israeli military claimed to have eliminated dozens of fighters while dismantling an “underground route” in northern Gaza. The ongoing situation in Gaza is dire, as the region has now entered the third month of an Israeli blockade, preventing essential supplies like food, water, and fuel from reaching its population of over 2 million. Experts on food security warn that Gaza is on the brink of famine if the blockade is not lifted soon.
Amidst this humanitarian crisis, a new organization backed by the U.S. is set to initiate aid delivery operations by the end of the month, following what they describe as crucial agreements with Israeli officials. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has appointed several U.S. military veterans, former humanitarian coordinators, and security contractors to lead this effort. However, many in the humanitarian sector, including the U.N., have expressed their refusal to participate, citing concerns that the proposed system does not adhere to humanitarian principles and will fail to adequately address the needs of Palestinians in Gaza.
On Friday, Tom Fletcher, the U.N. humanitarian chief, stated that there is already a comprehensive aid delivery plan in place, with 160,000 pallets of supplies ready for deployment: “It is ready to be activated — today — if we are simply allowed to do our jobs.” The current conflict in Gaza ignited on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched an attack on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the abduction of 251 others. Israel's subsequent military response has led to the deaths of more than 53,000 Palestinians, many of whom are women and children, according to reports from Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
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Samy Magdy reported from Cairo.
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