Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his anticipation of swiftly concluding a new Gaza military operation while the UN Security Council received appeals for alleviating the suffering in the Palestinian region. Netanyahu, following the approval of a contentious plan to seize control of Gaza City by his security cabinet, emphasized the necessity of finishing the task to rescue hostages held by Hamas.
The planned Gaza offensive is aimed at confronting the two remaining strongholds of Hamas, as Netanyahu cited this as his sole recourse due to Hamas’ persistent refusal to disarm unless an independent Palestinian state is established. The commencement date of the offensive, which would mark another attempt by the Israeli military to remove militants from Gaza City, remains undisclosed.
Netanyahu outlined the timeline for the action to be prompt, emphasizing the establishment of safe zones for the civilian population of Gaza City to evacuate. Despite past discrepancies in safeguarding civilians during conflicts, Netanyahu assured that the city’s residents, once numbering a million, would be relocated to secure zones.
Israel’s military leadership has cautioned against a full-scale occupation of the entire Gaza Strip, expressing concerns over the potential risks to the remaining hostages and the likelihood of protracted guerrilla warfare. Netanyahu reiterated that the objective is not to occupy Gaza permanently but to secure a buffer zone along the border.
European representatives at the UN raised concerns about the unfolding famine in Gaza, criticizing Israel’s strategy for exacerbating the situation. They stressed the urgency of halting the crisis and increasing humanitarian aid distribution to Gaza to prevent further suffering.
Refuting allegations of deliberately restricting aid, Israel attributed malnutrition in Gaza to Hamas’ actions. The US representative at the Security Council affirmed support for Netanyahu’s efforts in addressing humanitarian needs and fostering peace, including collaborating with Washington to boost aid delivery to Gaza.
The dire humanitarian situation in Gaza was underscored by the Gaza health ministry reporting additional deaths from malnutrition and starvation. As the conflict persists, concerns mount over the impact on civilians, with calls for prioritizing the safe and sufficient delivery of aid through established land routes.
Italy warned Israel against escalating the conflict, cautioning that further military intervention in Gaza could lead to a prolonged and challenging situation akin to Vietnam. The conflict, initiated by Hamas-led militants in October 2023 resulting in casualties and hostages, has since escalated, inflicting significant casualties and destruction in Gaza.