Netanyahu orders Israeli army to seize ‘70% of Gaza Strip’, violating ceasefire deal
Speaking in West Bank settlement, Israeli PM, who is fighting for political survival before elections, says ‘we are squeezing Hamas’
TL;DR
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the army to seize 70% of the Gaza Strip.
- This move is seen as a violation of the October ceasefire agreement and a UN security council resolution.
- The expansion of Israeli control would push 2.2 million Palestinians into less than a third of their territory.
- Israeli-backed militias are reportedly forcing residents to evacuate areas near the ceasefire line.
- The conditions in Gaza are described as already appalling and extremely overcrowded.
- A previous peace plan by Donald Trump outlined a temporary division of Gaza, emphasizing voluntary migration and encouraging people to stay.
- Analysts suggest Netanyahu is nullifying the Trump peace framework with his territorial goals.
- Recent UN reports indicate ongoing Israeli forces' advancements and drone targeting near the 'yellow line'.
- The role of Israeli-backed anti-Hamas militias in pushing residents westward is also noted.
- There are concerns that the plan could lead to ethnic cleansing by making living conditions intolerable.
- The original ceasefire plan is believed by some analysts to have collapsed, with potential shifts to a fallback plan for reconstruction and vetting of Palestinian movement.