Israel announced this morning that it plans to take control of Gaza City, as a new escalation in the 22-month-long war with "Hamas", the Associated Press reported, BTA reported.
The decision, made last night at a meeting of senior Israeli officials, was rejected by the Palestinians, and the international community called for an end to the war. In addition, the fate of hostages still held by "Hamas" in Gaza has also become a cause for concern in Israel, the AP notes.
Tens of thousands of people in Gaza have been killed so far in Israel's offensive, and most of the population in the enclave has been displaced. Large parts of the territory have been destroyed and many people are living on the brink of starvation. If Israel launches another large-scale ground offensive, it will almost certainly deepen the humanitarian catastrophe, the AP points out.
"Hamas" rejected Netanyahu's plans and said that the people of Gaza would continue to "resist the occupation". "Increasing aggression against the Palestinian people will not be a walk in the park," the group said in a statement.
Israel is making a mistake by approving plans for the occupation of Gaza City, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said today, quoted by PA Media and DPA, BTA reports.
The British leader called on Israel to reconsider plans for a new offensive. Starmer made the remarks after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's military cabinet approved plans for an operation to capture Gaza City. The British prime minister said Israel should move towards de-escalation rather than launching a new operation.
"This action will not end the conflict or help secure the release of the hostages. It will only lead to more bloodshed," said Keir Starmer.
"The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is worsening every day and the hostages held by "Hamas" are being held in appalling and inhumane conditions. A ceasefire is needed, more humanitarian aid is needed, all hostages held by "Hamas" are being released and a negotiated solution is needed. "Hamas" "cannot have a role in the future of Gaza and must withdraw from there and disarm," the British leader urged.
Earlier yesterday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlined his plans in an interview with the American television "Fox News", stating that Israel plans to take full control of Gaza. Israel already controls about three-quarters of the territory.
Israel's plan, announced after a security cabinet meeting last night, is more moderate than Netanyahu's proposed and is likely aimed at putting pressure on "Hamas" to accept a ceasefire on Israel's terms.
The Israeli plans also reflect the reservations of a senior Israeli general, who reportedly warned that expanding the operation would endanger the lives of the approximately 20 remaining hostages held by Hamas and further strain the Israeli military, which has been waging a war in the region for nearly two years.
After the meeting, Netanyahu's office said the army would "prepare to take control of Gaza City while providing humanitarian aid to civilians outside the combat zones." A major ground operation there could displace tens of thousands of people and further hamper food supplies to a starving population. It is unclear how many people live in the city, which was Gaza's largest before the war. Hundreds of thousands left the city under evacuation orders in the first weeks of the conflict, but many returned during the ceasefire earlier this year.