Live: Israel begins ‘preparations’ for new Gaza offensive as 115 killed
As we reported earlier, the Israeli military has said it has begun the “opening moves” of its expanded assault on Gaza, titled Operation Gideon’s Chariots. Here’s more information about this plan:
- Netanyahu has said that the new offensive is aimed at defeating Hamas and that Israeli forces would not “enter and then exit” Gaza, suggesting they would indefinitely militarily occupy at least most of the enclave.
- Under the plan, Netanyahu has also said Gaza’s population “will be moved, for its own protection”.
- Unnamed Israeli officials have told news agencies that the plans include the “conquest” and full military occupation of the entire Gaza Strip.
- “The plan will include, among other things, the conquest of the Gaza Strip and the holding of the territories, moving the Gaza population south for their protection,” one source told the AFP news agency.
- The Israeli plan also envisions the establishment of a new “humanitarian zone” in southern Gaza that will serve as a base for aid, which would no longer be overseen by independent humanitarian organisations.
- The plan has been widely condemned, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres saying it will “inevitably lead to countless more civilians killed and the further destruction of Gaza”.