Israel Cabinet Approves 'Gaza Conquest'
Israel’s political and military leaders have decided to approve plans to expand the Gaza offensive, which would include the complete “capture of Gaza Strip.” An Israeli defence official had said that it would be completed before US President Donald Trump concludes his visit to the Middle East next week.
They have planned to take over the aid distribution, which has been handled by international aid groups and UN organisations. The Israeli military will be in charge of the food distribution once the offensive begins to the 2.3 million people suffering under its blockade of the Palestinian territory. As per the newswire report, the plan also includes the “conquest” and occupation of the entire Gaza Strip.
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The plan would involve “international organisations and private security contractors [handing] out boxes of food” to families in Gaza, the Times of Israel reports.
“The plan will include, among other things, the conquest of the Gaza Strip and the holding of the territories, moving the Gaza population south for their protection,” a source told the AFP news agency.
Moreover, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to promote Donald Trump’s plan for the voluntary departure of Palestinians from the conclave.
When the Israeli newspaper Hayom and the Times of Israel had reported that the plan included the occupation of Gaza, it had led to significant tension inside Israel. However, Netanyahu had once again asserted that the goal was to “defeat” Hamas and bring back several dozen captives held in Gaza.
Countering the clarification, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, an Israeli campaign, has said in a statement that the plan “is sacrificing” those still held in the Palestinian territory. And this decision had led to a heated argument in the cabinet as well. Army chief Eyal Zamir reportedly warned that the operation would end up losing the remaining captives in Gaza.
The Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), a forum that includes United Nations agencies, said on Sunday that Israeli officials were seeking its consent to deliver aid through what it described as “Israeli hubs under conditions set by the Israeli military, once the government agrees to re-open crossings,” reports Al Jazeera.
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However, the coalition stated that the UN would not participate in this scheme as it does not adhere to the global humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence, and neutrality.
The humanitarian organisations too have said their teams “remain in Gaza, ready to again scale up the delivery of critical supplies and services: food, water, health, nutrition, protection and more.”
