Tens of thousands of Palestinians are fleeing Gaza City as reports indicate that Israel plans to halt humanitarian aid in anticipation of a military operation aimed at eliminating Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly preparing to cease airdrops of aid to the region and reduce the number of aid trucks entering northern Gaza. This information was shared by KAN, Israel’s public broadcaster, and cited by the Jerusalem Post.
The Israeli military’s intensified airstrikes and these aid restrictions are part of a broader effort to facilitate the evacuation of approximately 1 million Palestinians from Gaza City before a planned full-scale military engagement in mid-September. Over the past week, an estimated 23,000 people have fled the city, according to the United Nations.
Escalation of Military Actions and Humanitarian Concerns
The situation escalated further when Israel designated Gaza City as a “dangerous combat zone,” asserting that it serves as a stronghold for Hamas. Israeli military officials confirmed that seven soldiers were injured in an incident involving an explosive device in the Zeitoun neighborhood of northern Gaza City.
In a troubling statement, Hamas indicated that Israeli hostages are being held alongside its fighters, increasing the risk of their involvement in the conflict. Abu Obeida, spokesperson for Hamas’s military wing, warned that these hostages would be exposed to the same dangers as Hamas fighters during the impending operations. He stated, “They will remain with our fighters in the places of confrontation, exposed to the same risks.”
Hamas also threatened to publicize the identities and photographs of hostages killed during Israeli military actions, asserting that 48 hostages remain in their custody, with around 20 of them believed to be alive.
Debate Over Military Strategy and Hostage Release
Israeli defense officials are expected to advocate for a cease-fire and a hostage-release proposal during a security cabinet meeting, rather than proceeding with the offensive in Gaza City. This proposal follows a similar cease-fire agreement discussed in May, which Hamas rejected.
Netanyahu has reaffirmed his commitment to eradicating Hamas and securing the release of all remaining hostages as part of efforts to end the ongoing conflict. The urgency of this situation has led families of hostages to protest, urging the government to prioritize negotiations for a cease-fire.
At a rally in Tel Aviv, Zahiro Shahar Mor, nephew of hostage Avraham Munder, expressed the frustrations of families waiting for their loved ones to return. “Netanyahu, if another living hostage comes back in a bag, it will not only be the hostages and their families who pay the price,” he stated. “You will bear responsibility for premeditated murder.”
As military tensions rise and humanitarian concerns deepen, the plight of those affected in Gaza City continues to attract international attention. The coming days will be critical in determining the trajectory of this conflict and its impact on civilians caught in the crossfire.
