2023-10-21 16:50:03
October 21, 2023, 8:50 AM
Israel has suggested that the long-term goal of its military campaign in Gaza is to cut all ties with that territory.
The Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Gallantdeclared this Friday that, once Hamas is defeated, Israel wants end their “responsibility for life in the Gaza Strip”.
Before the conflict, Israel supplied Gaza with most of the energy it needed and controlled imports entering the territory.
Gallant’s statement It came as Israel continued its airstrikes on Gaza and aid to residents of the Palestinian territory was blocked at the border with Egypt.
These bombings are a response to the attacks by Hamas gunmen against Israel on October 7in which at least 1,400 people died and about 200 were taken hostage.
Israel is now preparing to launch a ground offensive.
EPA Israeli airstrikes throughout the Gaza Strip have not stopped.
3 stages
Gallant declared this Friday before a parliamentary committee that a first phase of the campaign is intended to destroy Hamas infrastructureaccording to a statement from his office.
The Israeli forces, he added, plan to later launch “lower intensity operations” to eliminate “focuses of resistance”.
The third phasehe said, “will require the elimination of Israel’s responsibility for life in the Gaza Strip and the establishment of a new security reality for the citizens of Israel.”
Although Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, the UN considers the Strip – along with the West Bank and East Jerusalem – occupied territory and considers Israel responsible for the basic needs of its population.
Israel previously allowed Gazans to cross the border to work. It also supervised imports into the territory to prevent Hamas from acquiring weapons.
Reuters Israeli troops prepare for a ground offensive.
Leaders Summit in Cairo
After the attacks of October 7, Israel cut off electricity supplies to Gaza, as well as water, food and medicine. The UN describes the situation as “catastrophic.”
The United States and Egypt reached an agreement that will allow some supplies to enter Gaza.
A first convoy of 20 trucks was going to enter southern Gaza this Friday from Egypt through the Rafah border crossing, but the vehicles were blocked on the Egyptian side.
Humanitarian organizations say much more help is needed.
EPA A humanitarian convoy waiting to be allowed to pass through the Rafah crossing.
The Secretary General of the UN, António Guterresvisited the border crossing this Friday and asked that aid trucks be allowed to enter the territory.
“These trucks are not just trucks: they are a lifesaver, they are the difference between life and death for many people in Gaza,” he said. “What we need is for them to get going,” he added.
Meanwhile, the president of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbaswhich governs the West Bank and differs from Hamas, confirmed that it will join several world leaders in a summit to be held this Saturday in Cairo with the aim of achieving a ceasefire.
The event, hosted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al Sisi, will include talks to try to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the basis of a two-state solution.
They will be accompanied by the King of Jordan, Abdullah II, the King of Bahrain, the Prince of Kuwait and the Emir of Qatar, the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, as well as foreign ministers of other European countries, from Japan, Russia and China, and senior officials from the European Union, in addition to Guterres.
BBC
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