Israel to expand Gaza offensive, plans long-term presence
Israel has announced plans to escalate its military campaign in Gaza with the aim of “conquering” the territory and establishing a permanent military presence, officials confirmed late Sunday following a unanimous vote in the security cabinet. The bold and controversial strategy marks a significant shift in Israel’s stated objectives and is likely to trigger international alarm, as humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to spiral. Israeli officials outlined the operation as an “intense offensive” that will include the seizure of territory, forced displacement of Gaza’s population to the south “for their protection,” and “powerful blows against Hamas.” The military is calling up “tens of thousands” of reservists to facilitate the deployment of active-duty soldiers into Gaza, according to Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief Lt Gen Eyal Zamir. More than 70% of Gaza is already under Israeli military control or designated as evacuation zones by Israel. Since the breakdown of a fragile ceasefire in March, bombardments have intensified, and buffer zones have been fortified across the enclave’s borders. A Costly War and a Divided Nation Israel’s ongoing offensive was launched in retaliation to Hamas’s October 2023 surprise attack that left approximately 1,200 Israelis dead, most of them civilians. According to Gaza’s health ministry, the Israeli response has since claimed the lives of at least 52,535 people, the vast majority of them civilians, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, under increasing pressure from far-right coalition partners, continues to promote controversial plans such as the potential displacement of Gaza’s population to neighboring countries like Egypt and Jordan, a proposal first floated in January by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Humanitarian System Near Collapse Despite Israel’s claims that “enough food” currently exists in Gaza, aid agencies paint a drastically different picture. The United Nations warns that the humanitarian system is on the brink of collapse, with widespread hunger, blocked supply routes, and mass civilian displacement exacerbating the crisis. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) condemned Israel’s proposal to replace existing UN-led aid operations with a militarized network of aid distribution hubs operated by private contractors and guarded by the IDF. “This contravenes fundamental humanitarian principles… and is dangerous,” said an OCHA spokesperson, adding that the plan “further entrenches forced displacement” and puts civilians and aid workers at serious risk. Mounting Political Backlash Hamas labeled Israel’s proposed aid framework “political blackmail,” and blamed the Israeli government for the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza. Meanwhile, a coalition of hostage families sharply criticized Netanyahu’s decision to ramp up military operations, warning that it jeopardizes the lives of the 58 hostages still held by Hamas, nearly half of whom are believed to be dead. “The expansion of military operations puts every hostage at grave risk,” the group said in a statement. “It also threatens the lives of our soldiers and deepens the toll on countless Israeli families already carrying the burden of this war.” Overnight airstrikes continued across the territory, with at least 17 people killed in northern Gaza, including women and children, according to al-Shifa hospital staff. Strikes targeted Gaza City, Beit Hanoun, and Beit Lahiya. Geopolitical Stakes Rise Trump is expected to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE later this month, which may increase diplomatic pressure on Israel to reach a new ceasefire. Trump’s recent remarks, urging Netanyahu to be “good to Gaza”, suggest he may push for limited concessions during the trip, though his alignment with Israel’s hardline strategy remains firm. Observers believe Israel’s public declaration of a full-scale Gaza occupation could be a calculated move to strengthen its negotiating hand in future talks with Hamas and other regional stakeholders. But with lives hanging in the balance and global scrutiny intensifying, the coming weeks may prove decisive in determining whether this war continues or if peace has any chance of returning to the region.
