Netanyahu Announces Expanded Gaza Offensive Amid International Pressure
Jerusalem – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans for an expanded offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, a move that follows weeks of unsuccessful attempts to negotiate a ceasefire. The decision, endorsed by his security cabinet, raises concerns about escalating the conflict and further straining Israel’s international standing.
Netanyahu described the planned operation as "intensive," indicating a significant increase in military activity within Gaza. The stated objective includes displacing more Palestinians for their own safety and departing from previous short-raid tactics in favor of holding seized ground.
Potential Seizure of Gaza and Control of Aid
According to an Israeli official, the approved offensive aims to seize the entire Gaza Strip, relocate its civilian population southward, and exert control over humanitarian aid distribution to prevent it from falling into Hamas’s hands. This proposal raises significant humanitarian concerns given the already dire conditions within Gaza.
The official further stated that aid distribution, currently managed by international aid groups and UN organizations, would be transferred to private companies and concentrated in the southern area of Rafah once the offensive commences. This shift in aid management has drawn criticism from international aid organizations, who fear it could compromise the impartiality and effectiveness of aid delivery.
US Visit and "Window of Opportunity"
Despite the announcement of the expanded offensive, an Israeli defense official indicated that the operation would not be launched before US President Donald Trump concludes his visit to the Middle East next week. The official cited a "window of opportunity" for a ceasefire and hostage release deal during Trump’s visit.
However, the official cautioned that if no hostage deal is reached, "Operation Gideon Chariots" would begin with great intensity and would continue until all its goals are achieved. The timing of the offensive’s launch is therefore contingent upon the outcome of diplomatic efforts during Trump’s visit.
Hamas Rejects "Pressure and Blackmail"
Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi rejected the proposed terms, denouncing them as "pressure and blackmail." He insisted on a comprehensive deal that includes a complete ceasefire, full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, and the release of all prisoners from both sides.
Hamas’s stance underscores the deep divide between the two sides and the challenges in reaching a mutually acceptable agreement. The group’s insistence on a complete withdrawal and prisoner release presents significant obstacles to any potential deal.
Lack of Clear Post-War Vision
Critics have pointed to the absence of a clear Israeli vision for post-war Gaza. The conflict has displaced most of Gaza’s population and left it dependent on dwindling aid supplies due to the imposed blockade. The international community has repeatedly called for increased humanitarian access to alleviate the suffering of Gazan civilians.
Ministers have accused international organizations of allowing Hamas to seize aid intended for civilians, leading to proposals to transfer aid distribution to private contractors through Israeli hubs. However, the United Nations has criticized this approach, raising concerns about its impact on aid delivery.
Jan Egeland, secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, said that Israel was demanding that the UN and non-governmental organizations shut down their aid distribution system in Gaza. This move has sparked widespread condemnation from humanitarian groups, who fear it will further exacerbate the humanitarian crisis.
Israeli Public Divided
The decision to expand the operation has been met with mixed reactions within Israel. While hardliners have long advocated for a full takeover of Gaza and displacement of the population, opinion polls indicate that the Israeli public increasingly desires a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages held in Gaza.
Angry protests have erupted outside parliament, with demonstrators demanding the government prioritize the return of the hostages. The families of those held captive have expressed concerns that the new military maneuver could jeopardize the hostages’ safety.
Regional Tensions and Constraints
Israel’s capacity for prolonged military operations is constrained by regional tensions, including threats from Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen, an unstable situation in Syria, and volatility in the occupied West Bank. These factors add complexity to the situation and limit Israel’s ability to focus solely on the Gaza conflict.
Despite these challenges, Israel’s Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir announced that the military has begun issuing tens of thousands of call-up orders for reservists. A government spokesman clarified that these troops were being called up to expand operations in Gaza, not to occupy it.
Origins of the Conflict
The current conflict was triggered by the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 hostages. Israel’s subsequent ground and air campaign in Gaza has led to the deaths of over 52,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities, and has left much of Gaza in ruins.
The ongoing violence has created a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, with the majority of the population displaced and facing dire shortages of food, water, and medical care. The international community continues to call for a ceasefire and increased humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of Gazan civilians.
