 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces a new military operation in Gaza. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) |
In a statement issued on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a new offensive in Gaza, describing it as the next phase of the conflict, with entirely new objectives.
Israel’s new intention
Signs of Israel’s fresh large-scale military campaign in Gaza appeared late last week when the Israeli military called up tens of thousands of reservists and held an emergency cabinet meeting on Sunday night. The meeting approved a plan to expand Israel’s ground operations, which will intensify attacks on Hamas, take control of certain areas, and relocate Gaza’s population southward. The Israeli cabinet also approved the potential resumption of humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza, which has been cut off since March 2.
The most concerning aspect of the new military plan is Israel’s intention to occupy Gaza for the long term. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, known for his far-right views, said Sunday that Israel will occupy Gaza even after a hostage release deal is agreed upon.
While Prime Minister Netanyahu did not explicitly mention an indefinite occupation, he revealed that the military will not follow previous strategies. “One thing will be clear, Israeli soldiers would not go into Gaza, launch raids and then retreat. That’s not our intention. Our intention is the opposite,” said Netanyahu.
Several Middle Eastern sources report that Prime Minister Netanyahu continues to push a proposal by US President Donald Trump to relocate Gaza residents to neighboring countries such as Jordan or Egypt.
Israel’s new strategy drew an immediate international backlash. Several European foreign ministries said a new military campaign in Gaza will not benefit any party. The United Nations warned that an expanded military campaign will worsen the current humanitarian catastrophe.
Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary General, said, “The UN Secretary-General is alarmed by reports of Israeli plans to expand ground operations and prolong its military presence in Gaza. This will inevitably lead to countless more civilians killed and the further destruction of Gaza. Gaza is, and must remain, an integral part of a future Palestinian State.”
Israel’s new military plan was revealed at a time when many international organizations are warning that the humanitarian disaster in Gaza is reaching a breaking point. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on May 2 that sources of food, drinking water, medicine, and medical supplies are nearly exhausted, putting the lives of millions at risk.
Tensions on multiple fronts
Analysts believe Israel’s new military strategy in Gaza has been preparing for months. The timing of the announcement, just before President Trump's visit to the Middle East from May 13-16, suggests that the Israeli government aims to persuade the Trump administration to pursue its plan to relocate Gaza’s civilians to other countries so the US and Israel can take over the territory.
Tensions are already high because of Houthi attacks from Yemen and threats of attacks on Iran if nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran collapse.
On May 4, Houthi forces launched a missile strike on Ben Gurion International Airport in central Israel, injuring several people. While Houthi forces have targeted Israeli territory several times, this was the first time their ballistic missiles were able to breach the multi-layered air defenses of Israel and the US to hit a critical facility. Observers suggest that this may drive Israel to pursue bolder military actions against the Houthis and Iran, especially because the Trump administration has many hardliners on Iran.
The new military campaign in Gaza could be the beginning of a broader conflict in the Middle East, as Israel attempts to take advantage of US military support. Concerns deepened on Monday when President Trump declined to comment on Israel’s new military plan in Gaza, saying only that the US will provide food to Gaza residents.
Emma Ashford, a researcher at the US’s Stimson Center, said Trump is under significant domestic pressure. "A significant number of Trump’s supporters, whether advisors in the White House or members of the Republican Party, hold strong views on supporting Israel in Gaza, on Iran and its nuclear program, and on the Middle East in general, often more so than their support for Trump himself, and certainly more than for his 'America First' policy," she added.
Observers warn that the coming weeks could be a “dangerous phase” for the Middle East. The timing of Israel’s new military campaign in Gaza will coincide with the US-Iran nuclear talks. If the talks fail to achieve major breakthroughs, the US administration may resort to the military measures it has previously threatened.