Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that Israel is launching a new phase of its offensive in Gaza, aimed at fully defeating the Palestinian militant group Hamas. This new strategy includes the sustained seizure of territory, a sharp departure from prior tactics involving brief incursions followed by withdrawal.
Strategic Shift: No Retreat Until Hamas is ‘Defeated or Leaves Gaza’
In a video posted to social media platform X on Monday, Netanyahu announced that Israeli soldiers would no longer engage in short-term raids but would hold any captured territory. “The intention is the opposite of that,” he stated, confirming that Israel’s military operation will be intensive and prolonged.
Netanyahu also emphasized that civilians in Gaza “will be moved for their own protection,” though he stopped short of specifying how much of the enclave would be seized or where its 2.3 million residents would be relocated. His remarks followed reports that the Israeli security cabinet has approved a gradual but escalating expansion of operations, targeting one area at a time over several months.
READ MORE: Ukraine War Briefing: Maritime Drone Downs Russian Fighter Jet in Historic First, Kyiv Claims
Security Cabinet Minister Zeev Elkin further clarified on Israeli broadcaster Kan that this slow rollout might leave room for negotiations on a potential ceasefire and hostage exchange ahead of US President Donald Trump’s scheduled visit to the region next week.
Israeli Forces Dig In: Occupation of Captured Territory Begins
Elkin reiterated that rather than entering and exiting Gaza neighborhoods, as was done during previous stages of the war, Israeli forces will now retain control over captured zones until Hamas is destroyed or withdraws voluntarily. This marks a turning point in Israel’s military posture in Gaza, with implications for both humanitarian access and future diplomatic solutions.
Since the resumption of ground operations in March—after the collapse of a US-brokered two-month ceasefire—Israel has regained control of nearly a third of Gaza. The new operation appears poised to push deeper, potentially as far as full territorial occupation, according to unnamed officials quoted by Reuters.
Mounting Humanitarian Crisis: Blockade Chokes Aid and Medicine
For over two months, Israel’s blockade has prevented food, medicine, and water from entering Gaza, with devastating consequences. Community kitchens are shutting down, hospitals are collapsing, and public health is in freefall.
Doctors report acute shortages of basic supplies, including painkillers and antibiotics. “It’s women and children who are paying the price,” one doctor told local media.
On Monday, Jan Egeland, Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, condemned Israel’s proposed new aid distribution scheme, which involves routing all humanitarian supplies through Israeli military-controlled hubs. “They want to manipulate and militarize all aid to civilians,” Egeland said, vowing that NRC and its partner NGOs would not participate in the plan.
The United Nations has also rejected the proposal, asserting that humanitarian neutrality cannot be maintained if aid is routed through combatant-controlled infrastructure.
International Tensions Escalate as Trump Prepares Regional Visit
President Trump’s visit next week is expected to heighten diplomatic activity around the conflict, but it remains unclear whether the trip will result in concrete steps toward a ceasefire or hostage release. Israeli ministers have hinted that a deal may still be on the table if Hamas signals willingness to compromise before Trump’s arrival.
Despite diplomatic overtures, the military build-up continues. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has issued tens of thousands of new call-up orders for reserve troops, and Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, Chief of General Staff, confirmed that the army is preparing to escalate the campaign.
Post-War Uncertainty and Political Criticism
Israel has yet to present a viable long-term plan for Gaza’s governance after hostilities end. Netanyahu’s government faces increasing criticism from the international community and from within Israel, where protests have erupted demanding an end to the war and the safe return of remaining hostages.
Of the 251 people abducted during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, Israeli authorities believe that 24 of the 59 remaining captives are still alive. Many families fear that a deepened military campaign could endanger those hostages.
Meanwhile, public sentiment in Israel has started to shift. Polls suggest that support for the war is waning, and many Israelis now favor a ceasefire agreement. On Monday, demonstrators gathered in Jerusalem calling for a deal to secure the hostages’ release.
Hamas, however, maintains that any hostage deal must be tied to a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza—an offer that Israeli officials have so far rejected.
Gaza Death Toll Soars Amid Offensive
According to local health authorities, more than 52,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, the majority of them civilians. Entire neighborhoods have been flattened, and basic infrastructure—including electricity, hospitals, and sanitation—has been reduced to rubble.
The humanitarian situation is compounded by internal displacement. Israel’s new plan reportedly involves pushing remaining Gaza residents further south, though aid agencies warn that the southern region is already overcrowded and lacks essential services.
Missile Debris Near Ben Gurion Raises Alarms
The offensive’s intensification comes amid rising regional instability. On Sunday, part of a missile launched from Yemen by the Iran-aligned Houthi movement landed near Ben Gurion International Airport, Israel’s primary international gateway. While no injuries were reported, the incident underscores the growing regional dimension of the conflict.
Conclusion: Escalation Without Resolution
Netanyahu’s announcement signals a dangerous new chapter in a war that has already claimed tens of thousands of lives and destabilized an entire region. While Israel maintains its right to self-defense in response to the October 7 Hamas attack, the lack of a clearly defined endgame, coupled with mounting civilian casualties and a worsening humanitarian crisis, raises urgent questions about the long-term viability of continued military action.
As global leaders—including President Trump—enter the fray in the coming days, pressure is mounting for both sides to return to the negotiating table before the conflict spirals into an uncontrollable quagmire. For now, however, Gaza braces for further destruction, and the path to peace remains perilously unclear.
