The international community has strongly condemned the Israeli security cabinet's decision to escalate its military operation into a full conquest of the Gaza Strip, with the move also receiving criticism from inside Israel itself.
This controversial plan, which will force over one million Gaza residents to relocate, has drawn sharp criticism globally and domestically.
In a statement issued last Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that the Security Cabinet had approved a military takeover of Gaza City, the enclave's largest urban center. The plan also outlines preparations by the Israel Defense Forces to distribute humanitarian aid to civilians outside combat zones.
The decision has ignited widespread opposition, with critics voicing strong concerns about its humanitarian and political repercussions, both within Gaza and across Israel.
"The hardest part is being displaced again and moving our belongings and the bed where you already feel comfortable. There are no transport vehicles, and if they are available, the cost is extremely high just to transfer you to the aimed area. We might also not be able to find any available area because of overcrowding, not to mention that there is no safe area to go to in Gaza," said Tareeq Hamed, a Gaza resident.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims that Israel had no choice but to opt for the takeover of Gaza since Hamas is no longer interested in an agreement, and that the takeover will be the best way to rescue the remaining 50 hostages. Their families strongly disagree.
And it is not only the families who think the move will not help bring the hostages back, but would actually endanger them. Many other people who know all about warfare in this area also believe the government should have done much more for the hostages and acted a lot sooner.
"The Prime Minister has to remember that they forgot them at the beginning of the war. We in our movement said immediately, first of all, bring back our people home. Then destroy Hamas. The government forgot it," said Matan Vilnai, former deputy chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Vilnai added that the real logic behind Netanyahu's decision may not be the well-being of the hostages.
"Now we are not sure what are the real considerations of the government. If it's purely the security of Israel, I am not sure about it. If it's purely the existence of the government, which means political issues, maybe this is the result," said Vilnai.
While it is unknown if the Israeli move is really meant for the total conquest of Gaza, or is it just intended to bring Hamas back to the negotiating table, what is clear is that this ongoing war is still bringing tragedy on both sides of the Gaza border.
Netanyahu's Gaza conquest plan faces global, domestic backlash
