Gaza City: The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have further intensified their military operation in the Gaza Strip, worsening an already deep humanitarian crisis in the region. Israel's latest operation, named 'Operation Gideon Chariots', involves extensive air strikes and ground operations. According to a report by Al Jazeera, these attacks, which began on May 18, killed more than 135 people, including children and women, in 24 hours. In addition, Israel's strict restrictions on the supply of water, food and fuel to Gaza have brought 2.3 million Palestinians to the brink of starvation and thirst.
Operation Gideon Chariots and military strategy
The Israeli army announced on May 18 that it was launching "extensive ground operations" in northern and southern Gaza, aimed at dismantling Hamas and releasing hostages. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the operation was part of a plan to establish a permanent military presence in Gaza and control the region. The Israeli army has adopted a strategy of dividing Gaza and displacing civilians to the south, which Netanyahu described as necessary for the "safety of civilians".
However, this strategy is being heavily criticized. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the plan as "appalling", saying it would lead to "countless civilian deaths and the further destruction of Gaza". According to Gaza's Ministry of Health, more than 3,000 people have been killed since the two-month ceasefire broke down on 18 March 2025, bringing the total death toll to over 52,000.
A dire water and humanitarian crisis
Israel's complete ban on all supplies—food, water, medicine and fuel—to Gaza from 2 March 2025 has brought the territory to the brink of disaster. Organizations such as the World Food Programme and the Red Cross have warned that Gaza's population faces starvation and acute water shortages. Bakeries have closed, and water distribution networks have collapsed due to a lack of fuel. "We have no food, no water, no sleep. We are just trying to survive," Ola Kadas, a Gaza resident, told the Washington Post.
On 18 May, Netanyahu's office announced that "minimal amounts of food" would be allowed into Gaza to avert a "starvation crisis". However, no clear plan was given for when and how this food would be distributed. The United Nations rejected Israel's proposal, calling it a "strategy to increase control over life-saving supplies".
Attacks on hospitals and health crisis
Israeli attacks have virtually collapsed Gaza's health infrastructure. The last functioning hospital in northern Gaza, the Indonesian Hospital, closed completely after attacks on 18 May. According to Medical Aid for Palestine, the hospital was "completely surrounded" and its intensive care unit was destroyed. Gaza's Health Ministry said five journalists and several medical personnel were also killed in the attacks. Israel claimed Hamas was hiding in hospitals, but medics told the BBC there was no warning or evacuation order before the attacks.
International response and hope for a ceasefire
Israel's actions have been met with strong global condemnation. Egypt and Jordan have described the mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza as an act of "ethnic cleansing". Meanwhile, talks between Hamas and Israel have resumed in Qatar on a ceasefire and hostage release, but no concrete progress has been made. Hamas has demanded that Israel agree to a full military withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire.
Conclusion
Israeli military operations in Gaza and shortages of water and food have put Palestinians in an unprecedented crisis. Israel's aggressive tactics under Operation Gideon Chariots and restrictions on humanitarian aid have made the area "worse than hell". Will international pressure and negotiations be able to stop this devastation, or will Gaza's pain increase further? This question is a major challenge facing the global community.
No comments: