Israel Seeks To Sever Gaza Relations Following Conflict With Hamas

(CTN NEWS) – Israel has suggested that the long-term aim of its military campaign in Gaza is to sever all links with the territory.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that Israel would end its “responsibility for life in the Gaza Strip” once Hamas had been defeated.

Before the conflict, Israel supplied Gaza with most of its energy needs and monitored imports into the territory.

The statement comes as Israel continues its strikes on Gaza, and aid remains blocked on the border with Egypt.

The bombardments are a response to attacks by Hamas gunmen on Israel on October 7, in which at least 1,400 people were killed and 203 taken hostage.

Israel is now poised to launch a ground offensive.

On Friday, Mr Gallant told a parliamentary committee that the campaign’s first stage was meant to destroy Hamas’s infrastructure, according to a statement from his office.

Israeli forces, he added, would then launch “operations at lower intensity” to eliminate “pockets of resistance”.

The third phase, he said, “will require the removal of Israel’s responsibility for life in the Gaza Strip, and the establishment of a new security reality for the citizens of Israel”.

Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza in 2005 was a significant geopolitical event.

However, despite this withdrawal, the region’s status remains highly contentious.

The United Nations regards not only Gaza but also the West Bank and East Jerusalem as occupied territories.

This classification means that the UN holds Israel accountable for meeting the basic needs of the populations residing in these areas.

For years, Israel maintained control over Gaza’s borders, allowing Gazans to enter Israel for employment and overseeing imports to prevent weapons from reaching the militant group Hamas.

The situation took a severe turn after the attacks on October 7, which led to Israel cutting off electricity supplies and limiting the delivery of food and medicines.

As a result, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has been described as “beyond catastrophic” by the United Nations.

Recently, the United States and Egypt brokered a deal that should allow for some relief supplies to reach Gaza’s 2.2 million residents.

Despite these efforts, it is clear that the situation requires much more humanitarian assistance, as the needs of the population in Gaza remain pressing and significant.

The ongoing conflict has exacerbated the challenges in the region and emphasizes the necessity of addressing the needs of those affected by it.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ visit to the border crossing underscores the desperate need for humanitarian aid in Gaza.

The UN chief emphasized that these aid trucks play a pivotal role, as they are a lifeline for the people of Gaza, providing essential supplies and relief in a dire situation.

His appeal for facilitating aid deliveries reflects the growing international concern about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.

The summit in Cairo, hosted by Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, is a significant diplomatic initiative to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

President Mahmoud Abbas’s participation indicates the Palestinian Authority’s commitment to finding a peaceful resolution.

The summit’s focus on a two-state solution highlights the international community’s ongoing efforts to seek a lasting resolution to the conflict and reduce tensions.

With participation from the UN, EU, and multiple countries, the summit aims to leverage international diplomacy to broker a ceasefire and pave the way for peaceful negotiations.

The involvement of various stakeholders underscores the urgency of the situation and the international community’s commitment to finding a solution.

In a separate development, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has confirmed his participation in a summit taking place in Cairo on Saturday.

The summit is hosted by Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi and aims to secure a ceasefire in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The discussions will be centered on achieving a resolution based on a two-state solution.

Notable attendees include Secretary-General Guterres, representatives from the European Union, and delegates from various Arab and European nations.

The summit serves as a crucial diplomatic effort to address the ongoing crisis in the region.

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