Gaza, Israel announces new offensive: mass evacuation and conquest of territory

Netanyahu: ‘Intense operation, no withdrawal’. Criticism from hostages’ families: “Government prefers territories to prisoners”

Israel’s planned military offensive in the Gaza Strip will be ‘on a large scale’ and involves the ‘displacement of the majority of the population’ of Palestinians to a ‘barren area, away from Hamas’. This was announced by Effie Defrin, spokesperson for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), speaking of a new organised phase of operations, which began after the 7 October 2023 attack.

Objectives: free the hostages and defeat Hamas
According to Defrin, the dual objective of the campaign remains the release of hostages and the defeat of Hamas control over Gaza. The terrorist group, he said, continues to reject all settlement proposals. In a video posted on his X profile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that in the absence of an agreement, the offensive will be ‘intense’ and that the Israeli army will not withdraw after the raids, but will maintain control of the territory.

The plan expected after Trump’s visit to the Middle East
The Israeli security cabinet unanimously approved the expansion of the operation. According to sources quoted by the Times of Israel, the plan will only be implemented after US President Donald Trump’s planned visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates from 13 to 15 May. Until then, diplomatic attempts for a ceasefire agreement and the release of prisoners will be intensified.

Israel aims at the conquest of Gaza and control of aid
The plan, drawn up by Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, includes the military conquest of the entire Strip, the displacement of the population to the south, and the direct control of humanitarian supplies to prevent them from falling into the hands of Hamas. The Israeli government has already prepared a new logistical plan for the resumption of aid deliveries.

Families of hostages: ‘National priority betrayed’
The Forum of the Families of the Hostages harshly criticised the Israeli government’s decision, accusing Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of prioritising the territorial agenda over the release of the kidnapped. ‘It is the Smotrich-Netanyahu plan,’ reads a note, denouncing the abandonment of the will of the people. According to recent polls, more than 70% of Israelis would be in favour of a hostage-ceasefire exchange.

Hamas rejects proposals: ‘Israel does not really want a truce’
According to sources close to Hezbollah quoted by the Lebanese broadcaster al Mayadeen, Hamas has again rejected the Israeli offers, which it considers insufficient as they do not envisage a definitive end to the war. The same sources denounce the ongoing military operations, famine and destruction as proof of a lack of negotiating will on the Israeli side.

59 hostages still in Gaza, at least 35 believed dead
The Israeli army has reported that 59 hostages are currently still in Gaza, at least 35 of whom are believed to have died in captivity. The fate of the others remains uncertain as the military operation prepares to enter an even harsher phase.

THE LATEST NEWS

[recent_post_slider design=”design-07″ show_author=”false” slider_height=”390″ lazyload=”progressive” limit=”6″ category=”11728″]

(Photo: © AndKronos)