TEL AVIV — In a recent press conference held in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted his intentions to expand Israeli control over additional regions of the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu stated that Israel would act “quickly” to evacuate and subsequently seize Gaza City and several refugee camps located in the central part of the enclave. He emphasized that Israel would assume “overriding security responsibility” for Gaza while establishing a civilian administration that would deliberately exclude both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, which is situated in Ramallah in the West Bank.
“Our goal is not to occupy Gaza,” Netanyahu explained, outlining several criteria by which he would evaluate the success of Israel’s military operations in the region. Key objectives include the disarmament of Hamas, the release of all 50 hostages—both living and deceased—and the demilitarization of Gaza. Additionally, he mentioned the establishment of a security zone along the border with Israel to mitigate future attacks.
In a significant development, Israel’s security cabinet approved a plan early Friday to broaden military activities in Gaza. However, they did not endorse Netanyahu’s earlier call for a complete occupation of the territory. The chief of staff of the Israeli military, Eyal Zamir, expressed concerns regarding Netanyahu’s proposal to permanently capture and maintain control over areas not currently under Israeli jurisdiction. He highlighted the risks to the 20 hostages believed to be alive and the additional strain this campaign would place on Israel's already fatigued reservists.
Since the commencement of its military campaign following the attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) report that they have gained control of approximately 75% of Gaza. The humanitarian crisis has escalated, with nearly 2 million Palestinians facing repeated displacements. Many residents are now living in overcrowded tent camps or amongst the ruins of their former homes.
When questioned about the anticipated duration of the military operations, Netanyahu indicated that “the timeline we set for the action is fairly quick.” Nonetheless, a report from Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan, cites defense officials predicting that the effort to secure control over Gaza City would take at least six months. This military operation would necessitate the forced displacement of civilians from Gaza City, the largest urban center in the territory, although the exact number of remaining residents is currently unknown.
Unlike previous military actions earlier in the conflict, this current campaign has drawn significant criticism from within Israel. Israeli commentator Sever Plocker articulated his concerns in Yedioth Ahronoth, Israel’s largest daily newspaper, stating, “The forced displacement of all residents of Gaza City…simply isn’t going to happen.” Plocker argued that anyone envisioning a smooth evacuation does not grasp the complexities of the situation or the moral implications involved.
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, the death toll from malnutrition and starvation is on the rise. Although an Israeli blockade on food supplies to Gaza was partially lifted in May, humanitarian workers and experts indicate that recent increases in aid deliveries are insufficient to alleviate the unfolding famine. As of Sunday, the Gaza Health Ministry reported five additional deaths due to malnutrition, raising the total to 217, including 100 children. The humanitarian organization Save the Children described this toll as “a devastating milestone that shames the world.”
In response to allegations that Israel is deliberately starving Palestinians in Gaza, Netanyahu refuted these claims, suggesting that some of the images depicting malnourished children might be “fake” due to underlying health conditions. However, he acknowledged the serious issue of deprivation affecting the population. Medical professionals have emphasized that the presence of chronic diseases among starving children makes their urgent treatment all the more critical.
Alhendawi from Save the Children stated, “This was a wholly predictable and avoidable tragedy that humanitarian organizations have been warning about for months. We knew this would happen; no one can say they didn’t.” The ongoing conflict and its humanitarian repercussions continue to attract global attention and condemnation.
