Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the military campaign against Hamas in Gaza will persist for “many more months,” signaling a continuation of the intense conflict that has already caused significant civilian casualties and displacement. This declaration comes amid increasing international calls for a ceasefire, following a series of devastating Israeli airstrikes and ground operations in central and southern Gaza.
The latest Israeli military actions have intensified in urban areas such as Nuseirat and Bureij in central Gaza, with significant ground forces moving into the southern city of Khan Younis. These operations have led to the displacement of a substantial portion of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, forcing them to seek shelter in areas like Rafah at the southern end of Gaza, despite these regions being targeted by Israeli forces.
Israeli forces launch offensive in Gaza, striking central and southern areas
According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, the Israeli offensive has resulted in over 21,600 Palestinian deaths since the onset of hostilities, triggered by a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7. The Israeli military, however, disputes these figures and reports a lower number of casualties, stating that it has eliminated numerous Hamas combatants.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated rapidly, with the U.N. expressing concern over the difficulties in delivering aid and the dire conditions faced by the displaced population. The conflict has also extended to the West Bank, with Israeli forces conducting raids against those accused of financing Hamas, further exacerbating tensions.
Palestinians collect food at a donation point in a refugee camp in Rafah on Saturday. With the majority of the enclave’s population of 2.3 million displaced, there is an imminent threat of famine and the spread of diseases. (Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images)
As the international community grapples with the escalating crisis, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has approved emergency weapons sales to Israel, bypassing Congress to expedite the process. This move, along with President Joe Biden’s pending aid package for Israel and other national security needs, has sparked debate among U.S. lawmakers regarding the conditions attached to American assistance to Israel.
Netanyahu’s firm stance on continuing the war, coupled with his rejection of a U.S.-backed idea for a unified Palestinian government to run both Gaza and parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, raises new questions about the future of the region and the feasibility of a two-state solution.
