Israel initiates control over Gaza City, calls up 60,000 reserve troops
The Israeli military has initiated Operation "Gideon's War Chariots 2", a planned occupation of Gaza City, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. The operation, which began on Tuesday, has seen the Israeli military mobilize 60,000 reservists and extend the service of an additional 20,000 troops.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz approved the plans for the occupation of Gaza City, a move that follows intense strikes on Hamas targets in the region. The Israeli army claims to have struck over 10,000 "targets" in the Gaza Strip since March 18.
Gaza City, home to over 1 million Palestinians, has been a political and military stronghold for Hamas. The Israeli military has intensified strikes on the city, reducing many refugee camps to rubble in the third phase of the operation.
Hamas has condemned the operation, calling it a continuation of a 22-month "genocide" and dismissing mediators' ceasefire efforts. The terror organization has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of disregarding the mediators' proposal and breaking agreements. Hamas has also called on mediators to apply "maximum pressure" on Israel to stop the "genocide against the Palestinian people."
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has renewed calls for an immediate ceasefire, stating that such an assault would "inevitably cause" death and destruction. French President Emmanuel Macron warned that the operation "can only lead to disaster for both peoples and risks plunging the entire region into a cycle of permanent war."
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has expressed concern over the situation, stating that further displacement and intensification of hostilities "risk worsening an already catastrophic situation" for Gaza's 2.1 million population.
In a bid to alleviate the humanitarian crisis, the Israeli military is allowing humanitarian aid for the residents of the Gaza Strip and expanding it with additional central aid distribution points.
The ceasefire proposal presented by Egypt and Qatar on Aug. 18 has not received a response from Israel. Hamas had accepted the proposal, but without a response, the conflict continues to escalate.
The historical context of the Gaza Strip, which has been under severe blockade for 18 years and was occupied by Israel for 38 years from 1967 to 2005, adds a layer of complexity to the current situation.
As the conflict continues, the international community urges both sides to seek a peaceful resolution and avoid further loss of life and displacement. The operation, named "Gideon's War Chariots 2", risks plunging the region into a cycle of permanent war, a scenario that all parties must strive to avoid.
