The Israeli military has given the green light for a new offensive in the Gaza Strip, with Armed Forces Chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir approving the main framework for the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) operational plan. This development comes days after the security cabinet called for the seizure of Gaza City, where thousands have taken refuge after fleeing previous offensives.
Gaza’s civil defense agency has reported intensified Israeli air strikes on Gaza City, particularly in the residential neighborhoods of Zeitoun and Sabra. These areas have been hit with heavy air strikes targeting civilian homes, including possible high-rise buildings. The escalation of violence has raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the United Nations has warned of widespread famine due to drastically curtailed humanitarian aid.
Interestingly, news of the military’s approval of the plan comes hours after Hamas announced that a senior delegation had arrived in Cairo for preliminary talks with Egyptian officials on a temporary truce. The Netanyahu government’s plans to expand the Gaza war have sparked international outcry and domestic opposition, with many calling for a ceasefire and a more diplomatic approach to resolving the conflict.
The conflict, which began with Hamas’s October 2023 attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, has had devastating consequences for both Israelis and Palestinians. Israel’s offensive has killed at least 61,599 Palestinians, according to figures from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, which the United Nations considers reliable. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with many in need of urgent assistance.
The Israeli military’s approval of a new Gaza offensive plan has raised concerns about the potential for further escalation and humanitarian crisis in the region. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community is calling for restraint and a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The fate of Gaza’s civilians hangs in the balance, and it remains to be seen how this latest development will impact the already fragile situation.
