Tel Aviv: After the Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu approved a plan to establish complete control over Gaza City, and the Israeli security cabinet ratified the plan on August 8, a new military offensive has been launched in Gaza. Codenamed “Gideon’s Chariots II,” this operation has mobilized approximately 60,000 reserve soldiers, while the service of 20,000 active-duty soldiers has been extended. This operation is seen as the first phase of an attack on Gaza City. According to the Israeli plan, the operation may displace thousands of Palestinians from northern to southern Gaza. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have already entered the outskirts of Gaza City to execute this objective.
While the Israeli government claims the purpose of this action is to completely disarm Hamas, exile its leaders, free the remaining hostages, and make the Gaza Strip entirely weapons-free, the world views it as a desperate Israeli attempt to occupy Gaza. The UN Human Rights chief has called the action an illegal occupation and demanded its immediate halt. Amnesty International has labeled it “outrageous,” stating that the operation will only strengthen Israel’s military occupation of Gaza. Even allied countries, including the US and UK, have expressed deep concern and deemed Israel’s actions illegal. However, the Netanyahu government is proceeding with its mission to illegally occupy Gaza, disregarding the global concerns. This plan includes Israel retaining major security control over Gaza’s borders, airspace, and maritime access.
Internal Division and Dire Humanitarian Crisis
Within the IDF, this plan is not unanimously supported. Several senior officers are reportedly opposing it, arguing that it will exhaust the already war-weary IDF soldiers and could further isolate Israel internationally. It appears that only Netanyahu sees this action as necessary. Observers believe that Netanyahu’s “fatal understanding” is an effort to gain political advantage among extremists. On the other hand, Palestinians see this as a blatant attempt to completely seize Gaza and destroy the possibility of a Palestinian state. UN reports describe it as a humanitarian catastrophe that will not only increase displacement but also cause more deaths and further destroy Gaza’s infrastructure. Hamas has called it a “genocide,” stating it will prolong the war, while Palestine describes it as Israel’s “expansionist” policy linked to new settlements in the West Bank.
Gaza City is home to over half a million Palestinians who are already facing a humanitarian crisis of starvation and displacement as a result of the ongoing Israeli military action against Hamas. The situation has reached famine-like conditions. Yet, amidst these circumstances, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has threatened that if Hamas does not surrender its weapons and release all hostages, the entire city of Gaza will be “destroyed.” This irresponsible statement, made amid international criticism and heavy domestic opposition to the plan, indicates that the Israeli government’s intentions for Gaza are not good. Previously, Israeli military actions had severely destroyed cities like Rafah and Beit Hanoun. In the Gaza Strip alone, over half a million people are facing dire conditions of starvation, destitution, and death. It is estimated that in these extreme circumstances, the lives of 132,000 children under the age of five could be “at risk” by June 2026. According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza, 62,192 people have been killed since October 7, 2023, while 271 have died from “starvation and malnutrition,” including 112 children.
Amidst these horrifying conditions, the Netanyahu government’s attempt to forcefully occupy Gaza and threaten to “destroy” the city in the name of releasing hostages and disarming Hamas only reinforces that Israel, already occupying Palestinian land, is not only pursuing its expansionist policy but is also advancing toward its long-term goal of building a ‘Greater Israel.’ A few days ago, Iran taught Israel a lesson, and when Israel’s existence seemed threatened by Iran’s military action, it quickly agreed to a ceasefire. The way Israel is now trying to displace the famine-stricken, homeless, and unarmed Palestinians from Gaza and is once again strengthening the possibility of a major war makes it clear that at this time, Israel, especially the Netanyahu government, is the biggest enemy of humanity.
