Israel pressed forward with its plan to seize the Gaza Strip, despite calls from United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for an immediate ceasefire. Guterres warned that a military operation by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) could lead to “death and destruction” in Gaza City.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, announced on Wednesday that he was “shortening the timelines” for the IDF’s plans to take control of Gaza City.
West Bank Settlement Expansion Sparks International Alarm
The upcoming Gaza offensive comes as Israel has approved 3,400 new housing units in the occupied West Bank. The move has sparked international concern and reignited debates over the future of a Palestinian state.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a hard-line coalition partner, said the new homes are proof that the “idea of a Palestinian state is being erased from the table.”
IDF Prepares for Large-Scale Operation
The IDF has called up 60,000 reservists ahead of the operation.
“The next phase of the war has begun,” Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, the military’s chief spokesperson, declared, as troops moved into Gaza City’s outskirts to relocate displaced residents to southern Gaza, reported the New York Times.
Ceasefire Talks Face Uncertainty
The Israeli takeover comes as mediators floated a new ceasefire proposal, reportedly close to terms Israel had previously supported. The escalations cast doubt on whether peace talks could advance.
An Israeli military official told NYT that the looming assault aims to prevent Hamas, which carried out the deadly October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, from regrouping and planning future attacks.
UN Chief Calls for Immediate Ceasefire
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to prevent further “death and destruction.” Speaking in Japan at an African development conference, Guterres also called on Hamas to release hostages unconditionally and urged Israel to reverse the decision to expand “illegal” settlements in the West Bank.
Reports of Shooting in Northern West Bank
The IDF is investigating a “security incident” near the Malachei Hashalom settlement in the northern West Bank. Hebrew outlets report a shooting targeting Israeli shepherds, with one 2-year-old lightly wounded.
