Gaza on Brink of Catastrophe

The Israeli government's recent declarations have sparked widespread condemnation, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich vowing that "Gaza will be entirely destroyed" and its Palestinian population will "leave in great numbers to third countries". This statement has raised fears of ethnic cleansing in the occupied territory.

The Israeli security cabinet's approval of Operation Gideon's Chariots, aimed at conquering and holding the Gaza Strip, has further escalated tensions. The plan involves displacing people within the enclave and taking control of aid distribution, which has been met with international condemnation.

The United Kingdom's Middle East minister, Hamish Falconer, strongly opposed the expansion of Israel's operations, stating that "any attempt to annex land in Gaza would be unacceptable". The international community is increasingly concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where nearly all of the 2.3 million population has been displaced since the start of the war.

Hamas has refused to engage in truce talks with Israel, citing the ongoing "hunger war" and "extermination war" in Gaza. Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official, urged the international community to halt Israel's actions. The group's stance is unlikely to shift as long as Israel remains committed to forcing Hamas to disarm, while Hamas refuses to release hostages without a ceasefire and total withdrawal of Israeli forces.

The territory is on the brink of catastrophe, with food and fuel running out due to Israel's total blockade imposed on March 2. Humanitarian officials have dismissed Israel's plan to allow limited aid into Gaza as unworkable, dangerous, and potentially unlawful. António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, expressed alarm over the Israeli plan, warning it will lead to more civilian casualties and destruction.

The International Court of Justice is assessing allegations of genocide against Israel, while the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Experts warn that Smotrich's statements could be considered a crime against humanity, specifically deportation and forcible transfer of civilians.

Israel's neighbors, Egypt and Jordan, have refused to allow an exodus of refugees, arguing it would make them party to the ethnic cleansing of Gaza. Meanwhile, Israel has carried out airstrikes in Yemen, targeting Houthi forces, in retaliation for a missile strike on Israel's international airport.

US officials have not directly reacted to Israel's threat of a new offensive, but Donald Trump said his administration would help deliver food to "starving" Palestinians, blaming Hamas for diverting humanitarian assistance. Israeli officials have stated that the new operation will not be launched before Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar next week.