What's happened
Recent statements by Israeli military officials indicate a systematic removal of Palestinians from northern Gaza, raising concerns about ethnic cleansing. Brig Gen Itzik Cohen admitted there is no intention for displaced residents to return, while humanitarian conditions worsen amid ongoing military operations.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The Guardian reported on Brig Gen Itzik Cohen's admission regarding the lack of intention to allow displaced residents to return, stating, "There is no intention of allowing the residents of the northern Gaza Strip to return to their homes." This was echoed by SBS, which highlighted the IDF's backtracking on Cohen's comments, emphasizing the fears surrounding forced displacement. The Guardian also noted that humanitarian conditions in northern Gaza are dire, with UN officials describing the situation as "apocalyptic." These contrasting perspectives illustrate the tension between official Israeli narratives and the realities faced by civilians on the ground.
How we got here
Since October 5, 2024, Israel has intensified military operations in northern Gaza, targeting Hamas militants. This has led to widespread displacement of civilians, with reports suggesting that the Israeli government may be pursuing a plan to annex parts of the territory.
More on these topics
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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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The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
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Gaza may refer to:
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The Israel Defense Forces, commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal, are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force, and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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Bezalel Yoel Smotrich is an Israeli politician. The leader of Tkuma, he is currently a member of the Knesset for the Yamina alliance.
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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 Palestinian people, also referred to as Palestinians or Palestinian Arabs, are an ethnonational group comprising the modern descendants of the peoples who have lived in Palestine continuously over the centuries and who today are largely culturally and