Israeli military officials on Sunday said that two projectiles were “likely” launched from Gaza and crossed into Israeli territory even as the possible impact is still under investigation, according to a report published by Reuters. The latest strike follows a pattern of long-range drone and rocket attacks by militant groups aimed at disrupting Israeli defenses and testing airspace security.
International Outcry Over Plans to Occupy Gaza City
Meanwhile, Israel’s security cabinet, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, approved a controversial plan to seize control of Gaza City. The motive, according to the plan, is to dismantle Hamas’s strongholds while providing humanitarian aid to civilians outside of active combat zones, as reported by Reuters.
However, the move has sparked fierce criticism both inside Israel and abroad. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has argued the strategy is too weak, demanding a more aggressive military push. Internationally, Italy warned that the offensive could resemble a “Vietnam” for the Israeli army, while Muslim-majority countries denounced the plan as illegally expansionist and called for an emergency session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, The Guardian reported.
Mounting Humanitarian Fears
Humanitarian concerns are also mounting rapidly in Gaza with the war-ravaged country already reportedly facing severe shortages of food, medicine and aid as international agencies sound alarm over an impending mass famine in the enclave. Experts have expressed concern saying that a ground invasion would intensify the suffering and potentially cause catastrophic loss of life.
Internal Resistance and Rising Tensions
Inside Israel, the plan has also reportedly caused political fractures. Defense Chief Eyal Zamir and former military leaders have expressed serious reservations, warning that a full occupation could endanger the remaining hostages and embroil the country in prolonged guerrilla warfare, per a New York Post report.
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