International community voices strong objections as Israel intensifies military operations amid ceasefire negotiations.
Israel has initiated a new military offensive in Gaza as negotiations for a ceasefire commence.
Codenamed "Operation Gideon’s Chariots," the operation aims to occupy and control significant portions of Gaza and restrict Hamas's access to humanitarian aid.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that military operations would continue until Hamas no longer poses a threat and all hostages are returned, asserting, “We will not stop operations until Hamas is no longer a threat, and all our hostages are home.”
In an attempt to mediate a ceasefire, Qatari and American officials have organized a new round of negotiations, with both parties indicating there are no preconditions and all issues are open for discussion.
Taher al-Nounou, an advisor to Hamas’s leadership, noted that the negotiations focus on the release of remaining hostages and establishing a temporary period of calm.
The proposal was presented by Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East, although earlier both sides had indicated obstacles to implementation.
The ceasefire discussions were prompted by an increase in Israeli airstrikes, which targeted over 150 sites within a 24-hour period.
The international community, including the United Nations and several European leaders, has condemned the Israeli offensive.
UN Secretary-General
António Guterres expressed concern over the displacement of civilians, stating, “I reject the repeated displacement of the population, especially forced displacements beyond Gaza.”
The Prime Minister of Spain and the Italian Foreign Minister have called for a lasting ceasefire, while Germany warned that the new military operation could exacerbate Gaza's humanitarian crisis.
Meanwhile, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, described the military actions as "ethnic cleansing."