Israel plans to seize Gaza City: critics erupt

Israel’s New Gaza Plan Sparks Global Outrage

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Cabinet Approves an Ambitious Offensive

Under a newly adopted strategy, Israel intends to take control of Gaza City while simultaneously deploying humanitarian aid to civilians outside combat zones. The plan, endorsed by Netanyahu’s security council, was publicly announced on a Friday that saw critics express alarm both within Israel and abroad.

Key Elements of the Strategy

• Demilitarisation of Gaza – the state aims to strip the territory of any military capability.
• Alternative Civil Administration – an administration neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority will govern, creating a provisional governance framework.
• Security Perimeter – Israel seeks to maintain a protective zone around all Israeli forces and settlements.
• Arab Governance – the long‑term solution envisions handing the region over to Arab forces that can manage it without threatening Israeli security.

International Response: A Cascade of Condemnation

The new offensive plan triggered swift criticism from global powers, the United Nations, and Arab governments:

• China, Turkey, Britain, and the U.N.’s rights chief issued statements of concern.
• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz halted military exports to Israel, citing uncertainty about how the plan would meet legitimate objectives.
• Opposition leader Yair Lapid warned that the cabinet’s move could lead to the death of hostages and a diplomatic crisis.
• The Hostage and Missing Families Forum condemned the plan as “abandoning the captives” and “a march of recklessness.”

Impact on Gaza Residents

Gaza’s civilians are bracing for further displacement amid a humanitarian crisis. Maysa al‑Shanti, a 52‑year‑old mother of six, expressed the community’s distress:

“They tell us to go south, then back north, and now they want to send us south again. We are human beings, but no one hears us or sees us.”

Hamas’ Response

Hamas declared that the planning to occupy Gaza City and evacuate its residents constitutes a “new war crime.” The militant group threatened to “cost Israel dearly” and warned that expanding the aggression would endanger the hostages held by militants.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

In the context of rising famine, the World Health Organization reported at least 99 deaths from malnutrition within Gaza—a figure likely underestimated. Gaza’s civil defence agency highlighted casualties associated with aid delivery:

• 18‑year‑old injured during an airdrop over Gaza City.
• Sixteen people killed by Israeli strikes across Gaza on the same day.
• Frequent injuries and fatalities due to heavy aid parcels falling in densely populated areas.

Statistical Snapshot

Israel’s offensive has claimed over 61,000 Palestinian lives, according to the Gaza health ministry run by Hamas. Conversely, the 2023 attack on Israel resulted in 1,219 fatalities, per official AFP tallies.

Conclusion

As Israel pushes forward with its ambitious plan to secure Gaza City, the world watches closely. With humanitarian needs pressing and political repercussions looming, the conflict’s trajectory remains uncertain and fraught with human cost.