Netanyahu Promises to Regain Control of Gaza Amidst UK, France, and Canada’s Strong Warnings to Israel

Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that Israel aims to take full control of Gaza. This statement follows criticism from key allies—Britain, France, and Canada—for what they call an "egregious" military escalation. They described the situation in Gaza as "intolerable" and warned of a "concrete" response if Israel doesn’t ease its military campaign and allow humanitarian aid.

The conflict has intensified. Recently, Israel’s military designated an entire city as a combat zone. Airstrikes killed over 60 people in a single day, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich proclaiming that Israel’s army would “wipe out” what’s left of Gaza.

In response to growing international pressure over a looming humanitarian crisis, Netanyahu said he would relax the 11-week siege on Gaza to prevent starvation. However, the United Nations reported that just nine trucks of aid were approved to enter Gaza—less than 2% of what was sent before the war began.

The three allied nations labeled the Israeli measures as "wholly inadequate." They stressed the need to align aid deliveries with humanitarian principles to ensure that those in Gaza receive essential support.

Netanyahu faced backlash even from within his own far-right coalition for allowing any aid into Gaza. He stated that images of starving Palestinians had reached his international supporters, who warned that they would withdraw their support if the situation worsened. Recent polling shows that this concern is shared by a significant portion of the American public, with 65% expressing distress over the humanitarian situation.

Historically, Gaza was self-sufficient in food production before the conflict escalated. Today, many residents find themselves increasingly desperate. Notably, humanitarian organizations argue that their aid is not being diverted by Hamas, disputing claims made by the Israeli government.

Instead of working with established non-profits, Israel plans to implement a new system that involves managing aid distribution through a startup called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, described as a U.S. initiative. Critics warn this approach could breach humanitarian principles.

As combat continues, the toll on civilians rises. The conflict began after Hamas attacks killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took around 250 hostages. The fears now are that the situation could spiral further out of control, threatening both the lives of those in Gaza and the stability of the region at large.

For ongoing updates and insights, you can visit The Guardian.

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