The prime minister has defended blocking humanitarian aid to the civilian population
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans to seize control of Gaza as part of a “massive” military operation targeting Hamas. Recent intensified airstrikes have reportedly resulted in hundreds of deaths in the Palestinian territory.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) initiated a significant ground operation on Sunday, called ‘Gideon’s Chariots’, advancing into both the northern and southern parts of Gaza. Israel states the operation aims to defeat Hamas and secure the release of the remaining hostages.
In a video posted on Monday on Netanyahu’s Telegram channel, the prime minister addressed concerns regarding the ongoing months-long blockade of humanitarian aid, which has brought Gaza close to famine.
Netanyahu defended the blockade, claiming that the Palestinian militant group has been diverting aid for its own purposes. He stated that a new system has been implemented to distribute food and medicine through designated points under Israeli control.
According to Netanyahu, the “war and victory” plan includes applying “tremendous military pressure, our massive entry to actually take over all of Gaza,” and efforts to “cut off Hamas from any ability to exploit humanitarian aid.”
On Sunday, Netanyahu’s office indicated that Israel would ease the blockade to permit limited food shipments into Gaza. The prime minister stated that the new distribution system would take time to establish, adding that “we are going to establish the first points in a few more days and add more later.”
International aid organizations have repeatedly warned of the risk of famine in Gaza as Israeli bombardment intensified. Palestinian health officials reported that over 300 people, including children, were killed in the 72 hours leading up to early Monday. Israel attributes the civilian casualties to Hamas, citing the group’s use of densely populated areas for military purposes.
Hamas stated on Monday that the IDF was firing “hundreds of highly destructive shells, missiles, and bombs daily” at residential areas. The IDF reported that it had struck 160 “terror targets” in the past 24 hours.
Netanyahu has pledged that the war will continue until Hamas is defeated. The militant group has refused calls to disarm.
Israel claims it has intensified its offensive to pressure Hamas to release the remaining hostages taken during the militant group’s October 2023 attack, in which 1,200 people were killed and approximately 250 were abducted. An estimated 58 hostages are still in Gaza.
The resulting war in Gaza has led to the deaths of more than 53,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to local health authorities.
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