Israel has initiated fresh ground operations in Gaza, delivering what it termed a “final warning” to residents, urging them to secure the release of captives and remove Hamas from power.
The offensive follows the deadliest round of Israeli airstrikes since a January truce, with Gaza’s health ministry reporting hundreds of fatalities. According to the Israeli military, the latest operations aim to establish a security perimeter and a partial buffer zone in central and southern Gaza.
Despite growing international appeals to uphold the ceasefire, Israeli forces have continued their bombardment, forcing thousands of civilians to flee. Long lines of displaced families, many with young children, could be seen moving southward in search of safety.
Dr. Fred Oola, a senior medical officer at the Red Cross field hospital in Rafah, described the dire humanitarian situation: “The atmosphere is filled with fear, and the suffering is evident in the faces of those seeking help.”
In a direct message to Gaza’s residents, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stern ultimatum: “This is your last warning. Return the hostages and remove Hamas. If you do so, new opportunities, including relocation options, will become available.”
This echoes an earlier warning from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who stated: “A bright future awaits Gaza, but only if the hostages are released. Otherwise, destruction is inevitable.”
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Out of the 251 hostages taken during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, 58 remain in captivity, with the Israeli military asserting that 34 of them have died.
International Legal Challenges for Israel
Amid the ongoing war, Israel faces increasing legal scrutiny. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes. Additionally, Israel is under investigation by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for possible breaches of the Genocide Convention.
Stalemate in Negotiations
While Hamas has yet to respond militarily to the renewed strikes, the group signaled its willingness to resume ceasefire negotiations. However, Hamas spokesperson Taher al-Nunu stated that the group refuses to renegotiate previously agreed terms mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S.
“We remain open to talks but insist that Israel adhere to the existing three-phase agreement,” he said, urging Israel to commence the second phase of negotiations.
Israel and the U.S. have sought to extend phase one of the deal, delaying the transition to phase two, which calls for a sustained ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Analysts suggest Israel’s reluctance stems from concerns that ending the war without fully dismantling Hamas would be a strategic failure.
Rising Casualties and Global Outrage
The intensifying Israeli airstrikes have overwhelmed Gaza’s already strained healthcare system. The UN Office for Project Services confirmed that a staff member was killed, and several others injured, in an attack on a UN facility in Deir el-Balah. The Gaza health ministry blamed Israel, while the Israeli military denied targeting the compound.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a thorough investigation into the attack. Meanwhile, Britain’s Foreign Minister David Lammy demanded accountability, describing the incident as “appalling.
Back in Israel, protests erupted in Jerusalem, with demonstrators accusing Netanyahu of prioritizing military operations over the safety of remaining hostages. The government must act to bring our loved ones home,” said Nehama Krysler, a protester in her late sixties.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock criticized the renewed Israeli offensive, warning that it “destroys hopes of peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned the strikes as “unacceptable.”
Escalating Death Toll
The conflict, which began with Hamas’s attack on Israel in 2023 that killed over 1,200 people, has led to a devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Civil defense officials reported that 470 people were killed in a single night of Israeli airstrikes, including 14 members of the same family.
Before this latest surge in violence, the death toll in Gaza had already exceeded 48,570, with estimates suggesting over 61,700 fatalities when including those buried under the rubble.
As the war rages on, the international community faces mounting pressure to broker a resolution, but with both sides entrenched in their positions, the path to peace remains uncertain.