Israel has announced its intention to retake Gaza City as part of an intensifying military campaign against Hamas. This decision follows a late-night meeting of the Security Cabinet on November 3, 2023, and comes despite increasing international calls for a ceasefire and growing domestic protests concerning the fate of hostages held by Hamas.
The conflict, now in its 22nd month, has resulted in significant casualties, with tens of thousands reported dead in Gaza. The humanitarian situation is dire, with a large portion of the population displaced and food resources dwindling. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 61,000 Palestinians have been killed since the outbreak of hostilities.
Military Operations and Humanitarian Impact
Israeli air and ground operations have devastated much of the Gaza Strip, with Israel currently controlling approximately three-quarters of the territory. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel intends to establish control over all of Gaza, a move he believes is necessary for national security. He emphasized in an interview with Fox News, “We don’t want to keep it. We want to have a security perimeter.”
The military’s latest strategy appears to be geared towards pressuring Hamas into accepting a ceasefire on Israel’s terms. Yet, there are concerns regarding the implications of a ground offensive in Gaza City. The area remains one of the few sections of Gaza not designated as a buffer zone, and a significant military operation could lead to further displacement of civilians and exacerbate the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
General Eyal Zamir, Israel’s military chief of staff, has reportedly voiced reservations about such an operation, citing risks to the approximately 20 hostages believed to be alive in Gaza. The fears are compounded by the history of Hamas’s tactics, which include using hostages as human shields during military confrontations.
Hostage Situation and Public Sentiment
The situation for hostages remains precarious. Hamas had abducted 251 individuals during its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in around 1,200 deaths. While many hostages have been released in previous ceasefire agreements, the remaining individuals’ safety is a pressing concern for their families and the Israeli public.
Recent protests have emerged from families of the hostages, who accuse Netanyahu of prolonging the conflict to appease extremist factions within his coalition. Yehuda Cohen, father of a soldier held in Gaza, criticized the Prime Minister, stating, “Netanyahu is working only for himself.”
As the military prepares for a potential escalation, the humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate. Palestinians are struggling to secure basic necessities, with reports indicating that at least 42 individuals were killed in Israeli airstrikes on November 2, 2023, as they sought food and assistance in southern Gaza.
The United Nations and independent organizations have raised alarms about the humanitarian crisis, attributing the worsening conditions to both military actions and the challenges posed by aid distribution. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), established with U.S. and Israeli support, has faced criticism for its distribution methods, with allegations of violence erupting at aid sites.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) recently released a report condemning the GHF’s operations, describing the scene at distribution sites as chaotic and dangerous. MSF has treated numerous injuries related to violent encounters during aid distribution, stating, “The level of mismanagement, chaos and violence at GHF distribution sites amounts to either reckless negligence or a deliberately designed death trap.”
As Israel moves forward with its military strategy, the implications for both the hostages and the civilian population in Gaza remain uncertain, with the potential for further loss of life and suffering hanging heavily in the balance.
