The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have announced a new phase of operations in the Gaza Strip. In a recent statement, they revealed that they have begun extensive strikes and deployment of troops to achieve operational control of the area. This comes as part of their efforts to expand their operations and achieve the objectives of the conflict, which include rescuing Israeli hostages in Gaza and dismantling the Hamas organization. The US, Germany, and many other countries also designate Hamas as a terrorist organization, responsible for carrying out the attacks on Israel last year that resulted in over 1,200 deaths and more than 250 people taken hostage.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to continue the military operations in Gaza with full force. The campaign is expected to intensify after the US President, Donald Trump, finishes his visit to the region, pending the absence of a new agreement for Gaza.
According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, nearly 53,000 Palestinians have lost their lives since the start of the war in October 2023. Although Israel and the US have questioned the accuracy of these figures, the UN and other international organizations believe them to be generally reliable.
Humanitarian organizations have decried Israel’s actions in Gaza and the obstruction of aid delivery. The Council of Europe has stated that the area is experiencing “deliberate starvation,” and UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has criticized Israel’s attacks, labeling them as “ethnic cleansing.”
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/middle-east-israel-moves-to-intensify-gaza-operation/live-72572583?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
