Israel increases military pressure on Gaza amid rising casualties
As a result of Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip on Tuesday and Wednesday, at least 92 people were killed, according to the Associated Press, citing local authority data. Israel has announced further escalation of military actions, with government representatives speaking of a plan for the "total destruction" of the enclave.
The most tragic incidents were two attacks on Wednesday in a crowded market in Gaza City. At least 33 people were killed, and 86 were injured. Among the victims were women and children. Sources emphasise that these numbers may be underestimated, and the actual number of casualties is likely higher.
On Tuesday evening, the Israeli air force struck a school in the town of Bureij in central Gaza, which served as a shelter for refugees. 27 people were killed there, including nine women and three children. The complex had reportedly been targeted multiple times before. The Israeli army claims that a Hamas command centre was operating in the building.
Attack on the Gaza Strip
Another airstrike, conducted on Wednesday morning on another school converted into a shelter, resulted in the death of 16 people. On the same day, another 16 civilians were killed in various locations across Gaza.
In the southern city of Rafah, which is under Israeli control, the army continues the demolition and blowing up of buildings. According to residents, the situation is becoming increasingly desperate.
The Israeli government has approved a new offensive strategy against Hamas. The plan entails a multi-phase operation: relocation of civilians to the south of the Strip, occupation of the remaining areas, a long-term occupation, and the elimination of Hamas structures. Simultaneously, humanitarian aid is to be resumed, but under revised terms.
Will the Gaza Strip be eliminated?
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, representing the ultra-nationalist Religious Zionism party, announced that within six months, Hamas would be completely destroyed. He added that "Gaza will be totally destroyed," and the civilian population would be "concentrated" in the southern part of the territory. Smotrich also suggested that the living conditions of Palestinians would lead to their mass emigration.
The offensive, named Operation "Gideon's Chariots," is to commence after the visit of US President Donald Trump to the Middle East, scheduled for 13th–16th May. By that time, as Defence Minister Israel Katz announced, there remains a chance for reaching a ceasefire and freeing Israeli hostages.
The war in the Gaza Strip has been ongoing since 7th October 2023, when Hamas conducted an armed attack on southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and abducting 251. According to figures provided by local authorities subordinate to Hamas, in response to this attack, over 52,500 Palestinians have already been killed.
Meanwhile, mediation talks conducted by Egypt and Qatar are ongoing, though they have so far not yielded a breakthrough. Israel remains adamant, demanding the complete disarmament of Hamas and its removal from Gaza's political life.
