UN human rights spokesman Jeremy Laurence warned that this week’s escalation of attacks has raised fears of a wider Israeli offensive in Gaza.
“The sharp escalation of attacks and killings this week, including Israeli attacks on hospitals, is worsening an already dire humanitarian situation amid signs that worse is to come. We must stop this madness,” Laurence said.
Middle East media reported that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had launched the first phase of a major offensive in the Gaza Strip, dubbed “Gideon’s Chariot.”
“Over the past day, the IDF has launched extensive attacks and mobilized forces to seize strategic areas in the Gaza Strip, as part of the initial thrust of Operation Gideon’s Chariot and the expansion of the Gaza campaign, in order to achieve all the objectives of the war in Gaza, including the release of hostages and the defeat of Hamas,” the army said in a statement.
The IDF added that it would continue to act to protect Israeli citizens and achieve the objectives of the war.
According to Israeli officials, the Gideon’s Cart offensive would mean capturing Gaza and holding the territory. It would also mean moving the Palestinian civilian population south of the Strip, attacking Hamas, and preventing Hamas from taking control of humanitarian aid supplies.
Local Palestinian media reported that Israeli military vehicles were advancing toward the southeastern part of Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, under heavy artillery fire.
Photo: archive
