Israel has launched a military offensive to capture Gaza City. The goal is to break the resistance of the last strongholds of the Islamist Hamas. Observers believe that the action will deepen the catastrophe of the civilian population.
Amidst UN efforts for a ceasefire and the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, Israel is accelerating its military offensive in Gaza City, ARD reports. Defense Minister Israel Katz has given the green light to mobilize 60,000 additional reservists and approved an army plan to capture Gaza City, a ministry spokesman said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appealed for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. He said it was "crucial" to prevent further death and destruction. Guterres called on Israel to reverse its decision to build "illegal" settlements in the West Bank.
Attacks in many parts of Gaza City
The Israeli army has announced that it intends to capture Gaza City and the Al-Mawazi refugee camp, which is located in the central part of the Gaza Strip. An army spokesman said the new phase of fighting would "gradually and purposefully cover parts of and around Gaza City," including some areas where Israeli troops had not previously entered. He said the Israeli army was currently attacking parts of the Zeitoun and Jabaliya neighborhoods.
The army would now "concentrate" its attacks on the city to achieve a "decisive" victory over Islamist Hamas militants, the statement said. The Israeli side also said it was trying to ensure the safe evacuation of civilians and the supply of food. International observers fear, however, that the new offensive will further worsen the already dire situation for the people of Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has ordered a swift takeover of Gaza, "to shorten the time frame for capturing Hamas' last terrorist strongholds." However, media reports suggest the Israeli military is preparing for a prolonged operation to capture Gaza that could last several months.
Israel has not responded to mediators' offer
Hamas has called Israel's plans to seize Gaza a "blatant violation" of the mediators' efforts to broker a ceasefire. Qatari mediators are still awaiting an official response from Israel to a widely circulated proposal for a 60-day truce during which Israeli hostages would be released. It is believed that about 20 of them are still alive. Relatives of the hostages protested against the new actions of the Israeli army. According to them, the military offensive will endanger the lives of their loved ones.