Fading hopes of an end to the slaughter and misery in Gaza have been dealt a further blow by the Israeli government’s announcement that it plans a major offensive in order to establish full military control of the central part of the territory.
In the early hours of Friday morning, the country’s security cabinet decided to order a new assault on Gaza City, the last major urban area in the strip. The first stage of the operation will see the forced expulsion southward of the city’s 800,000 inhabitants, many of whom had already been displaced. This will be completed by the symbolically important date of October 7th, the second anniversary of the murderous Hamas attack that began the current conflict. Israeli defence experts estimate the subsequent “mopping up” of remaining Hamas units could take a year or more.
Prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his government took their decision despite the opposition of military leaders and opinion polls showing a clear majority of Israelis want to see a ceasefire and the release of the hostages held by Hamas. As has been the case since the early stages of the war, Netanyahu’s own political survival is entwined with the continuation of hostilities.
Many Israelis fear this new offensive will lead to the deaths of the 20 remaining hostages held by Hamas, most of whom are believed to be in and around Gaza City. The prospect of an “endless war” and occupation of the territory will be unappealing even to many who are unconcerned by Palestinian suffering. Despite the deep divisions in his country, however, Netanyahu appears determined to press on, possibly under pressure from far-right members of his government who wish to see the Palestinian population forced out and replaced by Israeli settlements.
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Whatever the intention, the result, inevitably, will be further harrowing scenes of death and immiseration across Gaza.
The decision has already sparked international condemnation, including from some of Israel’s closest allies. The German government has suspended shipment of any arms that might be used in Gaza – an unprecedented move. Meanwhile, mediators from Egypt and Qatar continue to work on a framework that would see a release of hostages and an end to the war, although there is little expectation of that bearing fruit any time soon. If carried out, this new offensive will only deepen Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe.
The deliberate infliction of such suffering on a civilian population through forced displacement, siege tactics and mass hunger adds considerable weight to accusations of war crimes. The international community cannot ignore its own responsibility. A stronger, more coordinated response is required to prevent further atrocities and bring an end to a war that has already gone on far too long.
