Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a ‘intensive’ new offensive in Gaza, involving the seizure of territory. On Monday, the country’s security cabinet greenlit a plan to escalate its military actions in the occupied enclave, including the occupation of territories and relocation of the Palestinian population to the south of the strip.
In a video shared on đ, previously known as Twitter, Mr Netanyahu confirmed that as per the plans, the population “will be moved for its own protection” and that soldiers would not raid and then retreat – “the intention is the opposite of that”.
The decision comes after finance minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that Israel would not withdraw from Gaza even if the remaining hostages held by Hamas are released. The call-up of thousands of reservists would be part of the strategy to “conquer” the strip.
Smotrich expressed to Channel 12, “We are finally going to occupy the Gaza Strip. We will stop being afraid of the word âoccupation’. We are finally taking control of all humanitarian aid, so that it does not become supplies for Hamas. We are separating Hamas from the population, cleansing the Strip, bringing back the hostages â and defeating Hamas.”
“There will be no retreat from the territories we have conquered, not even in exchange for hostages. Once as we occupy and stay we can talk about sovereignty. But I did not demand that this be included among the goals of the war. First, we will defeat Hamas and prevent it from existing.”
Since breaking a ceasefire two months ago, Israel has been blocking all humanitarian aid to Gaza, with no food, fuel, or medicine allowed in. The enclave is considered an occupied territory under international law and has been fully blockaded by air, land, and sea since fighting resumed.
Israel is currently facing charges of genocide, filed by South Africa, at the International Court of Justice, although a ruling is not expected for many years. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Mr Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, in November for alleged war crimes, including using starvation as a method of warfare.
Mr Netanyahu recently visited Hungary, which subsequently announced its withdrawal from the ICC. The court also issued arrest warrants for three Hamas leaders in connection to the October 7 attacks, which resulted in the deaths of 1,195 people, including 815 civilians, and the hostage-taking of more than 250 individuals.
However, Yehya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh have since passed away.
