Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced the Israeli military plans to carry out an “intensified operation” against Hamas in Gaza.
The move was approved by his ‘security cabinet’, a committee of senior members of his coalition government.
Israeli officials have confirmed to international media that the security cabinet authorised the military “capture” of Gaza.
A Hamas official has told media the group will not negotiate a ceasefire while “hunger, thirst, and killings” continue in Gaza.
Context
Following 15 months of war, a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel came into effect on 19 January.
The U.S-led agreement was intended to have three phases. Phase one concluded on 1 March.
Negotiations to find a path forward for the remaining phases of the deal have been ongoing over the past few months.
Latest
On Monday, a spokesperson for the Netanyahu government announced a “wide attack, involving moving most of Gaza’s population”.
He said that Palestinians would be “moved” to southern Gaza for their “protection”. At least 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced since October 2023.
When a ceasefire temporarily took hold this year, thousands of Palestinians returned to northern Gaza after being forced to flee south earlier in the war.
Your contribution ensures The Daily Aus can continue doing the work you love.
I want to give $10 monthly to help TDA keep doing the news.
Your details:
Israeli officials said the plan will include "capturing of the [Gaza] Strip and the holding of territories".
In a post on X, Netanyahu claimed the operation would form part of the “concluding moves” in the war against Hamas in Gaza.
Israel has previously stated its war aims are to destroy Hamas and return the remaining hostages.
Officials confirmed the plan will not begin until after U.S. President Donald Trump makes a visit to the Middle East later this month.
Aid
The UN says no supplies have entered Gaza for nine weeks, since the collapse of the ceasefire agreement. Israel blocked the entry of aid to Gaza to pressure Hamas to temporarily extend the ceasefire.
The UN has labelled it “cruel collective punishment of Palestinians” and says “aid... should never be a bargaining chip.”
Meanwhile, Trump said this week: “[Palestinians] are starving. Hamas is making it impossible because they are getting everything brought in.” He said the U.S. was going to “help” the people of Gaza.
Response
Families of hostages taken by Hamas on 7 October 2023 have raised concerns about expanded military action endangering their loved ones.
Approximately 59 hostages are estimated to still be held in Gaza.
A Hamas official told Agence France-Presse: “There is no sense in engaging in talks or considering new ceasefire proposals as long as the hunger war and extermination war continue in the Gaza Strip.”
