2025-05-06T13:18:00Z

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DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An unsettling development has emerged in the ongoing conflict in the region as Israeli officials have announced intentions to escalate military operations and extend their presence in the Gaza Strip. This announcement comes as a growing wave of alarm spreads among Palestinians who feel increasingly exhausted and hopeless after enduring 19 months of relentless bombardment. The families of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza share a similar sentiment, grappling with fear that the chance for a ceasefire is fading further into the distance.

Moaz Kahlout, a displaced resident of Gaza City, poignantly questioned, “What’s left for you to bomb?” He highlighted the grim reality many face, where GPS devices have become essential tools for locating the remnants of homes obliterated by warfare.

On Monday, Israeli Cabinet ministers formally approved a strategic plan aimed at seizing control of Gaza, allowing military operations within Palestinian territory for an indefinite duration. This announcement followed a statement from the military chief indicating the mobilization of tens of thousands of reserve soldiers. While details surrounding the plan remain sparse, its timing and deployment are shrouded in uncertainty. Analysts speculate that this could be a tactic to apply pressure on Hamas during ongoing ceasefire negotiations.

The current hostilities escalated dramatically on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants executed a coordinated attack on southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths, predominantly among civilians, and the abduction of 251 individuals. Israel has since maintained that 59 of these hostages are still alive in Gaza, although it is feared that around 35 of them may be deceased.

The ensuing Israeli military campaign has had devastating effects, with Palestinian health officials reporting over 52,000 fatalities in Gaza, many of whom are women and children. These figures do not differentiate between combatants and non-combatants, underscoring the scale of the humanitarian crisis.

In the southern city of Khan Younis, Enshirah Bahloul lamented the dire conditions faced by her community, stating, “They destroyed us, displaced us and killed us. We want safety and peace in this world. We do not want to remain homeless, hungry, and thirsty.”

Opposition to the Israeli government's military strategy is also growing within Israel. Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the parliament building on Monday as the government convened for its summer session, with one individual reportedly arrested during the demonstrations. Families of hostages expressed deep concern regarding the ramifications of a potential expansion of military operations, fearing for the safety of their loved ones held captive. Adi Alexander, whose son Edan was taken hostage during the initial attacks, remarked, “I don’t see the expansion of the war as a solution — it led us absolutely nowhere before. It feels like déjà vu from a year ago.”

In an effort to navigate the crisis, Israeli leadership has expressed intentions to withhold any expansion of military actions until after U.S. President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to the Middle East. His visit is anticipated for next week, although he is not expected to stop in Israel. Nonetheless, Trump has frequently mentioned Edan Alexander, the last American-Israeli believed to still be alive among the hostages.

Concern is palpable among families of hostages. Moshe Lavi, related to Omri Miran, the oldest hostage still believed to be alive, expressed uncertainty about Israel’s intentions with the new military plan. “We hope it’s merely a signal to Hamas that Israel is serious in its goal to dismantle its governmental and military capabilities as leverage for negotiations, but it’s unclear whether this is an end or a means,” he stated.

In the meantime, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. Daily, dozens of Palestinians line up outside charity kitchens in southern Gaza, vying for meager distributions of hot meals. Children are seen shoving pots and buckets forward in desperation, seeking sustenance for their families. Sara Younis, a mother from Rafah, voiced the fears of many, saying, “What should we do? There’s no food, no flour, nothing.”

Following the cutoff of all imports to Gaza by Israel in early March, the humanitarian crisis has reached alarming proportions, leading to severe shortages of essential provisions such as food and medicine. Israel has defended its actions, asserting that these measures aim to compel Hamas to release the remaining hostages. Aid organizations have raised alarms about the rising prevalence of malnutrition and hunger, emphasizing that a significant portion of the population is now reliant on humanitarian aid.

The United Nations has echoed these concerns, stating that the progress made earlier this year to alleviate famine conditions has begun to wane. Charitable organizations, such as Tikeya, which have historically provided food aid, are now facing an acute shortage of supplies, resorting to cooking mostly pasta for the past fortnight.

Nidal Abu Helal, a displaced worker at a charity kitchen, expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “We’re not afraid of dying from missiles. We’re afraid that our children will die of hunger in front of us.” As they face this dire reality, displaced Palestinians continue to use makeshift solutions, such as preparing bread in rudimentary ovens, as they struggle to cope with the overwhelming challenges posed by both war and famine.

As the conflict continues with no clear resolution in sight, the lives of countless individuals hang in the balance, illustrating the urgent need for a sustainable peace process and humanitarian support.

(AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana, AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File)