Israel Escalates Military Campaign in Gaza
Israel has commenced a new phase of its military operation in Gaza, deploying mandatory service units supported by 133,000 reservists, military sources indicate. The 162nd Division is encircling the enclave from Jabalia in the northwest, aiming to occupy Gaza and dismantle Palestinian resistance, reports 24brussels.
Defense Minister Yisrael Katz has sanctioned 60,000 additional recruits for a four-month operation, which involves establishing “humanitarian zones” in southern Gaza to facilitate a mass evacuation, followed by ground maneuvers and aerial bombardments aimed at advancing into Gaza City.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the offensive will encompass refugee camps and populated areas, cautioning about increased artillery fire and explosions in the upcoming days. Although civilians are said to be allowed to flee to “safe” zones, humanitarian organizations assert that no area in Gaza is truly safe.
Humanitarian Impact and Global Reactions:
- More than 62,000 Palestinian civilians have died in the 22-month conflict, primarily women and children.
- The region is experiencing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, with 271 deaths from malnutrition, 112 of whom are children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
- The UN and Red Cross have condemned the military actions, warning they may constitute forced population transfer, potentially a war crime.
- Within Israel, families of hostages are protesting, concerned that the escalation could jeopardize their loved ones’ safety.
- Arab mediators are continuing efforts to broker a ceasefire, but Israel insists any deal must demand Hamas’s surrender, full disarmament, and the release of captives.
This mobilization marks the second phase of the military strategy dubbed “Gideon’s Chariots”, accompanied by extensive bombardment of Gaza City, where residents report ongoing shelling and forced displacement.
