Brussels: President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has urged the Israeli government to reconsider its decision to extend military operations in Gaza. The call comes amid heightened tensions and ongoing violence in the region, which has seen significant humanitarian repercussions.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the Israeli government's Security Cabinet has approved a military plan that includes the occupation of Gaza City and an expansion of military aggression in the Gaza Strip. The plan, supported unanimously by the Cabinet, grants Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his army minister, Israel Katz, the authority to carry out further military operations.
The new military strategy entails forcibly displacing residents from Gaza City towards the south, followed by a siege and further ground incursions into densely populated areas. This move aligns with demands from the far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to occupy the Gaza Strip and establish colonies there.
Since the beginning of the conflict on October 7, 2023, Israeli forces have seized control of Gaza City, except for a few small areas, maintaining their presence for several months before partially withdrawing in April 2024. The ongoing violence has resulted in significant casualties, with 61,258 Palestinians killed and 152,045 injured, predominantly affecting children and women. The conflict has also led to over 9,000 individuals missing, widespread displacement, and famine, claiming numerous lives, including those of many children.
