Tel Aviv (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has approved a plan to conquer Gaza City and has endorsed the call-up of approximately 60,000 reservists to execute it, his ministry confirmed on Wednesday.
As reported by AFP, Defence Minister Israel Katz’s action increased pressure on Hamas, as mediators seeking a ceasefire in the almost two-year Gaza conflict awaited an official reply from Israel to their recent proposal.
The military plan known as “Gideon’s Chariots II” was presented to Katz by Israel Defence Forces Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. The target for the offensive, to take over Gaza City, which is in the northern end of the Gaza Strip, has already been heavily damaged through 22 months of use by the Israeli military.
What are the key terms of Hamas’s truce proposal?
Israel and Hamas have engaged in sporadic indirect negotiations during the conflict, leading to two brief truces where Israeli hostages were freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Although mediator Qatar showed cautious optimism about the recent proposal, a senior Israeli official stated that the government remains firm on its demand for the release of all hostages in any agreement. The framework approved by Hamas includes a 60-day initial truce, a phased release of hostages, the release of some Palestinian prisoners, and provisions for aid to enter Gaza.
The most recent truce proposal followed Israel’s security cabinet approving plans to take Gaza City, despite concerns that this could intensify the already severe humanitarian crisis. Qatar and Egypt, with support from the United States, have facilitated ongoing shuttle diplomacy.
Qatar said the latest proposal was “almost identical” to an earlier version agreed by Israel, while Egypt said Monday that “the ball is now in its (Israel’s) court”.
What is the humanitarian cost of Israel’s Gaza offensive?
The health ministry in Gaza, which the United Nations regards as a reliable source, estimates that Israel’s offensive in the current war has killed at least 62,064 Palestinians. The majority of deaths are civilians, including a large number of women and children. The Gaza Health Ministry stated that women and children make up close to half the total number dead, with children making up close to 31% of those killed.
This new death toll represents the deadliest numbers recorded in Gaza relative to previous wars, and the sustained military onslaught has led to unprecedented levels of destruction and displacement, along with humanitarian catastrophes.
