Netanyahu Describes Escalation in Gaza War as 'Long and Difficult'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a "second stage" in the war against Hamas, involving the deployment of ground forces into Gaza and widening assaults from the ground, air, and sea. In a recent address, he cast the conflict as pivotal for Israel's existence and cautioned of an impending broad ground incursion.
Drawing a stark scenario, Netanyahu expressed, "There are moments in which a nation faces two possibilities: to do or die. We now face that test and I have no doubt how it will end: We will be the victors."
The latest bombardment has had significant consequences for Gaza's inhabitants. With most communication systems disrupted, the region's 2.3 million residents are largely isolated. The Israeli military has targeted numerous Hamas tunnels and underground bunkers, essential to the group's operations, following Hamas's violent incursion into Israel three weeks prior.
This war, intensified by a notable Hamas attack on October 7, where militants invaded nearby Israeli towns killing civilians and soldiers, has raised concerns of a broader Mideast conflict. Netanyahu, addressing a national audience, emphasized that the escalated ground operations would be instrumental in rescuing hostages taken during the October 7 attack. He framed the current phase as focused on dismantling Hamas's military capabilities and ensuring the hostages' return.
However, Netanyahu avoided discussing cease-fire possibilities. Instead, he underscored the significance of the conflict in the broader context of Jewish history and past military confrontations.
Acknowledging the catastrophic events of October 7, which resulted in over 1,400 fatalities, he indicated the necessity for a comprehensive inquiry into the tragedy.
The Israeli military, while emphasizing its expanding activities in Gaza, stopped short of labeling it a full-scale invasion. The strategy hinted at a gradual escalation rather than an immediate large-scale offensive.
In the face of this offensive, Palestinian militants persist in launching rockets into Israel. The war has claimed over 7,700 Palestinian lives in Gaza since its commencement, with the Gaza Health Ministry reporting a significant number of casualties among women and minors.
The communication blackout has severely hampered emergency services in Gaza. Civilians have resorted to manually extracting injured individuals from rubble due to the unavailability of professional rescue teams.
Israel has defended its strikes, asserting they are targeting Hamas operatives and their infrastructure, but the proximity of militants to civilians poses a risk.
With the escalation of hostilities, concerns grow about hostages taken into Gaza. During a gathering in Tel Aviv, families of the hostages demanded prioritizing their loved ones' return over military aims.
In a potentially controversial development, Hamas's top leader in Gaza, Yehiyeh Sinwar, proposed an immediate hostage release in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. This offer was dismissed by the Israeli military spokesperson as "psychological terror."
Internationally, efforts to de-escalate tensions are underway. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi has been actively engaging with the conflicting parties. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over the intensification of bombardments in Gaza.
The conflict's repercussions are felt internationally. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is considering labeling Israel a "war criminal" over its actions in Gaza. In response, Israel is contemplating a re-evaluation of its diplomatic ties with Turkey.
This war has already resulted in a death toll surpassing the combined fatalities of the previous four Israel-Hamas conflicts. The ongoing situation has also alarmed Arab nations, some of whom have brokered peace deals with Israel, over the prospects of a more expansive regional war.