In the last few hours the first phase of the earth’s invasion of Gaza City has begun. The Brigadier General Effie Defin, spokesman for the Israeli defense forces (Idf), said: “We have started the preliminary operations and the early stages of the attack: our forces already control the outskirts of the city”. This marks the beginning of the operation announced by the government led by Benjamin Netanyahu, with the aim of entering the heart of the strip after months of bombing. About 60,000 reservists were mobilized, while another 20,000 will be recalled by the end of the month.
Military operations and the situation on the field
Reactions
Hamas replied with strong statements. The group wrote: “The announcement by the terrorist occupation army of the beginning of an operation against Gaza City demonstrates a clear contempt for the efforts made by the mediators”. Hamas claims to have accepted the latest proposal presented by the Arab mediators for a respite, which also provided for the release of hostages and humanitarian aid, and accuses the Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu of being “the real obstacle to any agreement”. During Sunday evening they took to Tel Aviv about a million people asking for the end of the conflict. In the Palestinian territories, however, events have been organized against the evacuation plan to the south.
Humanitarian budget and diplomatic turning point
In the last hours at least 72 Palestinians have lost their lives in Israeli attacks on Gaza, including 27 people who awaited humanitarian aid. In a raid near the Zikim pass, 12 people died, including personnel in charge of the security of loads and civilians looking for assistance. Hamas said he accepted a 60 -day fire proposal, which provided for the liberation of live and deceased Israeli hostages and the arrival of aid through the red crescent and the United Nations. The Qatar Prime Minister discussed the question of Cairo with the Egyptian President Al-Sisi. It remains to be seen what the Israeli government’s response will be, who at the moment has not given signs of wanting to stop the operation on Gaza City.
New settlements in the West Bank
Parallel to the events in Gaza, the Israeli government has decided to restart the expansion project of the settlements in the so -called E1 corridor, an area of 12 km² east of Jerusalem. Over 3,400 new housing units intended for the settlers have been approved, a decision that the international community had slowed since 2012. Finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, a prominent figure of the Israeli right, said: “Every settlement, each neighborhood, each housing unit is another nail on the coffin of this dangerous idea” referring to the solution of the two states. These developments are considered by the international community and by the European Union a threat to the continuity of the Palestinian territory.
Appeals of international authorities and political divisions
Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General, asked for “an immediate ceased for the fire and unconditional release of all the hostages”, underlining that the new buildings of settlements in the West Bank “violate international law” and represent an “existential threat” to the two -states solution. Emmanuel Macron, French president, also warned that a new offensive in Gaza “can only lead to a real disaster for the two peoples and will drag the region into a permanent war”. In the United States, the State Department has announced new sanctions against the International Criminal Court after the arrest warrant for war crimes against Netanyahu and the ex -defense minister Yoav Gallant.
Local perspectives and voices from Gaza
In Gaza City and in nearby areas, the residents, especially in the neighborhoods under attack like Zeitoun, refuse the idea of forced transfer, affirming: «We will not let us hunt away, this is our city. We resist because it is our right ». In other areas, however, some are evaluating relocation proposals. Meanwhile, military fights and maneuvers continue.
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