Israel: Mr. Yoav Gallant, the Israeli minister of defence, has shared Israel’s plans for the next stage of its attack on the besieged Gaza Strip as well as potential post-conflict scenarios.
“In the northern region of the Gaza strip, we will transition to a new combat approach in accordance with military achievements on the ground,” Mr. Gallant’s office said in a statement.
It outlined the guiding principles reflecting Gallant’s vision for the next phases of the war, as per the statement. The operations, he said, would comprise special forces operations, air and ground strikes, tunnel demolition, and raids.
The majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents currently reside there, many in tents and other makeshift shelters, to the south of the besieged enclave, where the operation would continue to attempt to kill Hamas leaders and free Israeli hostages.
“It will continue for as long as is deemed necessary,” the statement said. Following the October 7 attack by Hamas, who, according to Israeli estimates, killed about 1,140 people in communities close to Gaza and kidnapped about 240 more as hostages, Israel began its offensive in Gaza.
According to Palestinian health authorities, Israel’s war on Gaza has resulted in over 22,400 deaths, forced the majority of the population from their homes, and left much of the territory in ruins.
Currently, the Rafah governorate in southern Gaza is home to a large number of displaced people. The health ministry has issued a warning, stating that the lack of supplies, medication, clean water, and fuel is causing disease to spread.
Nearly 1.9 million people, or more than 80 percent of the pre-war population of the Gaza Strip, have reportedly been displaced, according to the UN.
RECOMMENDED | XpoSat: A journey to unveil mysteries of black holes
