What's happened
Israeli forces have intensified military operations in Gaza, resulting in at least 77 Palestinian deaths on Wednesday alone. Defence Minister Israel Katz announced plans to seize large areas of the territory, escalating the conflict that has already claimed over 50,000 lives since October 2023.
What's behind the headline?
Key Points:
- Escalation of Violence: The recent military operations mark a significant increase in violence, with Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stating the intention to capture extensive territory in Gaza. This follows a series of airstrikes that have resulted in numerous civilian casualties.
- Humanitarian Crisis: The ongoing conflict has exacerbated the humanitarian situation in Gaza, with reports indicating that over 90% of the population has been displaced. The closure of bakeries due to shortages of flour and gas highlights the dire food situation.
- International Response: The international community has been largely silent, with mediation efforts by Qatar and Egypt failing to yield results. The lack of a robust response may embolden further military actions by Israel.
- Future Implications: The expansion of military operations could lead to increased civilian casualties and further destabilization of the region. The call for Palestinian civilians to act against Hamas may also lead to internal divisions and increased violence within Gaza.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports that at least 22 people were killed in a recent attack on a UNRWA clinic, with Gaza's health ministry stating that over 1,042 people have died since military operations resumed. The Guardian highlights Defence Minister Katz's announcement of plans to seize large areas of Gaza, emphasizing the humanitarian crisis as over 140,000 people have been displaced since the ceasefire ended. Meanwhile, reports from various sources indicate that the Israeli military has intensified airstrikes across Gaza, leading to significant civilian casualties and a deteriorating humanitarian situation.
How we got here
The current escalation follows a breakdown of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas last month. Since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, Israel's military campaign has led to significant civilian casualties and widespread displacement in Gaza.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of Israel's military expansion?
- How is the humanitarian situation in Gaza evolving?
- What has been the international response to the conflict?
More on these topics
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Gaza may refer to:
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.
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Israel Katz is an Israeli politician who currently serves as a member of the Knesset for Likud and Minister of Finance. He has previously held the posts of Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Transportation, Minister of Intelligence and Minister of Forei
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Syria, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon to the southwest, the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest.