‘What's happening is despicable' – New Israeli offensive could see total seizure of Gaza

Sunday World

05-05-2025

"Population will be moved, for its own protection," Netanyahu said in a video posted on X
A woman reacts as mourners attend the funeral of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes, in Khan Younis::REUTERS
What is happening to the people of Gaza is 'despicable and unconscionable,' Tánaiste Simon Harris has said, as Israeli announced a new 'intensive' invasion of the enclave.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that a new offensive in Gaza will be an intensive military operation aimed at defeating Hamas, but stopped short of detailing just how much of the enclave's territory would be seized.
"Population will be moved, for its own protection," Netanyahu said in a video posted on X. He said Israeli soldiers won't go into Gaza, launch raids and then retreat. "The intention is the opposite of that," he said.
The new offensive on Gaza, could see the IDF seize the entire enclave.
In a statement on the matter, Mr Harris called for Israel to reverse course.
"The reports of a planned extension of military operations by Israeli forces in Gaza are alarming.
'Such a move would result in further deaths, casualties and untold suffering for the Palestinian population who already face a dire humanitarian situation.
'I strongly urge the Israeli authorities to exercise restraint.
'What is happening to the people of Gaza is despicable and unconscionable.
"This is a humanitarian catastrophe.
'We need to see an immediate cessation of hostilities, release of remaining hostages and the resumption of humanitarian aid at scale into Gaza,' Mr Harris said.
Palestinians struggle to get donated food at a community kitchen in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
The new invasion includes a new plan for aid distribution though supplies will not be let in yet, according to Israeli officials.
Two Israeli officials said the plan also includes the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to southern Gaza. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing military plans.
The statement came as Israeli ministers today agreed to ramp up the war against Hamas in Gaza, with plans to capture more territory in the beleaguered Palestinian enclave and call up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers.
The plan, which the official said would be gradual, could mark a significant escalation in the fighting in Gaza, which resumed in mid-March after Israel and Hamas failed to agree on an extension to an eight-week truce.
Israel's military chief of staff, Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, said the army was calling up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers and said Israel would 'operate in additional areas' in Gaza and continue to strike militant infrastructure.
Mothers of soldiers call to end the war in Gaza:. REUTERS/
Israel already controls roughly half of Gaza's territory, including a buffer zone along the border with Israel as well as three corridors that run east to west along the strip. These have squeezed war-weary Palestinians into ever shrinking wedges of land in the devastated territory.
For weeks, Israel has been trying to increase pressure on the militant Hamas group and prompt it to show more flexibility in negotiations.
In early March, Israel halted the entry of aid into Gaza - a ban that is ongoing and which has plunged the territory of 2.3 million people into what is believed to be the worst humanitarian crisis of the war. Hunger has been widespread, and shortages have set off looting.
On March 18, Israel resumed strikes in the territory, killing more than 2,600 people in the weeks since, many of them women and children, according to local health officials.
The previous ceasefire was meant to lead the sides to negotiate an end to the war, but that end goal has been a repeated sticking point in talks between Israel and Hamas.
A woman reacts as mourners attend the funeral of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes, in Khan Younis::REUTERS
Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 5th
Israel says it will not agree to end the war until Hamas is defeated. Hamas meanwhile has demanded an agreement that winds down the war.
The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages. Israel says 59 captives remain in Gaza, although about 35 are believed to be dead.
Israel's offensive has killed more than 52,000 people in Gaza, many of them women and children, according to Palestinian health officials, who do not distinguish between combatants and civilians in their count.
The fighting has displaced more than 90pcof Gaza's population, often multiple times.