Israel Claims Control of 40% of Gaza City Amid Escalating Offensive
The Israeli military is claiming that it controls 40% of Gaza City, with plans to intensify its operations. Israeli Army Spokesperson, Brigadier General Effie Defrin, declared that the pressure on Hamas will continue to increase until its defeat. The offensive, led by the current government of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, is reportedly part of a broader plan to seize control over the largest urban center in the Palestinian territory.
Background and Context
The Israeli army's offensive on Gaza City has resulted in a significant death toll, with Israeli forces killing dozens of Palestinians in strikes across the Gaza Strip, including at least 18 in residential apartments and tents housing displaced people in Gaza City. Gaza health authorities reported that Israeli fire across the enclave had already killed at least 53 people, mostly in Gaza City, where Israeli forces are now a few kilometers from the city center.
Key Developments
The Israeli army's operations have gone beyond the battlefield, with reports of incendiary grenades being dropped on an ambulance in Gaza City. Humanitarian aid to parts of northern Gaza is also expected to slow or halt in the coming days as Israel expands its offensive. A yet-to-be-identified official stated that Israel will stop airdrops over Gaza City and reduce the arrival of aid trucks into the northern part of the strip.
Moreover, far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for the annexation of parts of Gaza, a move deemed illegal under international law. Smotrich's plan involves giving Hamas an ultimatum to surrender, disarm, and release remaining captives, or face Israel taking control of one section of Gaza each week for four weeks.
Implications and Reactions
The escalating Israeli offensive has had grave implications for the residents of Gaza City. Israeli forces pushing deeper into Gaza and detonating explosives-laden vehicles have caused an existential crisis for the residents, forcing them to choose between staying and dying or leaving towards an uncertain future.
The president of the world’s leading genocide scholars' association stated that a resolution has been passed establishing that the legal criteria for genocide have been met by Israel's actions in Gaza. This comes as the death toll continues to rise, with the war being labeled as genocide by world leaders, historians, and human rights organizations.
Current Status
As the situation stands, the Israeli military is preparing for a full-scale offensive, despite international calls for restraint. The war's objectives, according to Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, include the return of the hostages and the dismantling of Hamas’ rule.
However, the human cost of this conflict continues to rise, with thousands of homes destroyed, and a mounting death toll that has primarily affected civilians.