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Israeli plan to seize Gaza alarms many: ‘What’s left for you to bomb?’

06 May 2025 4 minute read
Gaza. Image: Oxfam

An Israeli plan to seize the Gaza Strip and expand the military operation has alarmed many in the region.

Palestinians are exhausted and hopeless, pummelled by 19 months of heavy bombing.

Families of Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza are terrified that the possibility of a ceasefire is slipping further away.

“What’s left for you to bomb?” asked Moaz Kahlout, a displaced man from Gaza City who said many resort to GPS to locate the rubble of homes wiped out in the war.

Israeli officials said on Monday that cabinet ministers approved the plan to seize Gaza and remain in the Palestinian territory for an unspecified amount of time — news that came hours after the military chief said the army was calling up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers.

Details of the plan were not formally announced, and its exact timing and implementation were not clear.

It may be another measure by Israel to try to pressure Hamas into making concessions in ceasefire negotiations.

“Homeless, hungry and thirsty”

Israel’s ensuing offensive has killed more than 52,000 people in Gaza, many of them women and children, according to Palestinian health officials, who do not distinguish between combatants and civilians in their count.

“They destroyed us, displaced us and killed us,” said Enshirah Bahloul, a woman from the southern city of Khan Younis.

“We want safety and peace in this world. We do not want to remain homeless, hungry, and thirsty.”

Some Israelis are also opposed to the plan.

Hundreds of people protested outside the parliament on Monday as the government opened for its summer session.

One person was arrested.

Families of hostages held in Gaza are afraid of what an expanded military operation or seizure could mean for their relatives.

“I don’t see the expansion of the war as a solution — it led us absolutely nowhere before. It feels like deja vu from the year ago,” said Adi Alexander, father of Israeli-American Edan Alexander, a soldier captured in the October 7 attack.

The father is pinning some hopes on US President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East, set for next week.

Israeli leaders have said they do not plan to expand the operation in Gaza until after Mr Trump’s visit, leaving the door open for a possible deal.

Mr Trump is not expected to visit Israel, but he and other American officials have frequently spoken about Edan Alexander, the last American-Israeli held in Gaza who is still believed to be alive.

Dying of hunger “in front of us”

Moshe Lavi, the brother-in-law of Omri Miran, 48, the oldest hostage still believed to be alive, said the family was concerned about the 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 a leverage for negotiations, but it’s unclear whether this is an end or a means,” he said.

Meanwhile, every day, dozens of Palestinians gather outside a charity kitchen that distributes hot meals to displaced families in southern Gaza.

Children thrust pots or buckets forward, pushing and shoving in an desperate attempt to bring food to their families.

“What should we do?” asked Sara Younis, a woman from the southernmost city of Rafah, as she waited for a hot meal for her children.

“There’s no food, no flour, nothing.”

Israel cut off Gaza from all imports in early March, leading to dire shortages of food, medicine and other supplies.

Israel says the goal is to pressure Hamas to free the remaining hostages.

Aid organisations have warned that malnutrition and hunger are becoming increasingly prevalent in Gaza.

The United Nations says the vast majority of the population relies on aid.

Aid groups have expressed concerns that gains to avert famine made during this year’s ceasefire have been diminishing.

Like most aid groups in Gaza, Tikeya has run out of most food and has cooked almost exclusively pasta for the past two weeks.

Nidal Abu Helal, a displaced man from Rafah who works at the charity, said that the group is increasingly concerned that people, especially children, will die of starvation.

“We’re not afraid of dying from missiles,” he said.

“We’re afraid that our children will die of hunger in front of us.”


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Y Cymro
Y Cymro
11 days ago

This is not an act of Israel defending itself anymore post-October 7th Hamas attacks, but pure unadulterated Jewish ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from the Gaza strip as the world watches on in horror at this American funded Zionist snuff movie live streamed to tens of millions. Unspeakable and unforgivable depravity by a people who should know better.

Rhufawn Jones
Rhufawn Jones
11 days ago
Reply to  Y Cymro

And anyone who questions that is Anti-Semitic.

Jeff
Jeff
11 days ago

Now it’s just war crimes and genocide all the way down.

Usual suspects “but a band said some words….”

Tucker
Tucker
11 days ago

Where’s Starmer and his coalition of the willing?
Oh I forgot him and his front bench are paid handsomely by isreal for their silence.

adopted cardi
adopted cardi
10 days ago
Reply to  Tucker

well, Starmer and co. What is worth saying – “Born Liars”? “Treacherous rats”? I’ve heard both, and more. Though I’d say – got at by the likes of AIPAC and the Money God, lost their Humanity, and now fully fledged members of the Inhuman Race. In Gaza this joint effort of American, Israeli, UK states’ fighters and bombers, etc, are really Aliens. These Aliens should be made to wear a badge saying “I AM A ALIEN” Aliens not just somehow killing, with a small k, members of the Human Race, but deliberately Murdering them. If they can cold-bloodedly Murder little… Read more »

Bryce
Bryce
11 days ago

The world failed to come up with a two state plan and allowing Gaza to run itself quasi-autonomously clearly failed, so there isn’t much else they can so other than to take control. It’s just a shame they didn’t make this move before obliterating the local population.

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