Israel’s brutal aerial bombardment of Gaza has killed more than 4,100 people so far.
New Delhi:
Israel has outlined three phases in its war against Hamas, at the end of which it plans to establish a “new security regime” in the Gaza Strip.
Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 before shortly afterwards imposing a land, sea and air blockade on the enclave, which intensified in 2007 when Hamas took power.
After Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel last week, killing at least 1,400 people, the country retaliated by imposing a full-scale siege on Gaza and has begun mobilizing its forces for a ground offensive.
More than 4,100 people have been killed in the brutal aerial bombardment of Gaza so far, according to the health ministry in the besieged enclave.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant outlined “three phases” of hostilities in which Israel will defeat Hamas by destroying its government and military capabilities.
He said the initial and current phase of incessant attacks on Palestinian territory would be followed by “neutralizing terrorists and destroying Hamas’ infrastructure.”
The next phase will not last “a day, nor a week, nor a month,” Gallant told parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
Gallant said the ultimate goal is to remove any responsibility Israel has over Gaza by creating a new “security regime” in the region.
“The military campaign will create a new security reality for the citizens of Israel,” Gallant said.
The Israeli army last week ordered more than a million residents of northern Gaza to flee south, prompting Palestinians to claim the army was seeking a permanent mass displacement of residents.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has said he will not allow any influx of refugees from Gaza, without commenting on the possible future role Cairo could play in the enclave.
Palestinians have also had to deal with strict border restrictions imposed by Egypt at Gaza’s southern Rafah crossing.
