Amid heavy bombing in Gaza, Israel PM Netanyahu makes big decision, set to affect Hamas and Palestinians due to….
Amid heavy bombings in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces major relief for Palestinians. Netanyahu has stated that acting on the recommendations from the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), his cabinet has agreed to allow a “basic quantity” of food after a nearly three-month blockade in Gaza that has brought Palestinians to the edge of famine, Euronews reported on Monday. As per the report, this move is aimed at facilitating Israel’s expansion of intense military operations in Gaza.
The conditions in Gaza are extremely dire and challenging. Due to the prolonged blockade and ongoing conflict, the region faces severe shortages of food, clean water, medical supplies, and fuel. The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages. The report further mentioned that Hamas is currently believed to be holding 57 hostages, of which 22 are believed to still be alive.
Israel’s subsequent military response has resulted in more than 50,000 deaths in Gaza, according to figures from Hamas-run authorities. The Israeli military reports that 856 of its soldiers have been killed since the fighting began.
The announcement came as Israel launched a new and extensive ground offensive in Gaza on Saturday, dubbed “Gideon’s Chariots”. As per Euronews, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is worsening, with nearly half a million Palestinians facing “catastrophic” hunger and another one million barely meeting their basic nutritional needs, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification.
Food security experts warned last week that Gaza could soon face famine if Israel does not end its blockade and halt its military operations, the report mentioned. However, the exact timing and manner of delivering humanitarian aid are still uncertain.
Earlier on Sunday, Israeli strikes killed more than 100 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. These attacks also led to the closure of the Indonesian Hospital, the primary medical facility serving northern Gaza. Netanyahu acknowledged the urgency of avoiding a famine, which the military warns could jeopardise its broader campaign against Hamas.
As per Euronews, citing Gaza’s Health Ministry, since the collapse of the last ceasefire, nearly 3,000 more Palestinians have been killed.
The current military campaign, the largest since the March ceasefire was broken, aims to seize control of territory and displace large numbers of Palestinians. Meanwhile, ceasefire negotiations continue. Israel is advocating for a temporary truce focused on releasing hostages but not necessarily ending the conflict. In contrast, Hamas demands a full Israeli withdrawal and a clear plan to end the war as part of any agreement.
News