Dec 2, 2023 at 10:22 PM Update: 12 minutes ago
NU.nl regularly gives you an overview of the situation in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. In this overview: The Israeli army has presented a plan for the “next phase of the war”. Meanwhile, fierce fighting resumes in Gaza and Israel has confirmed its plan for buffer zones.
After the war, the Israeli government wants to establish a buffer zone along the border with Gaza. “Israel needs a ‘security shell’,” government adviser Mark Regev said at a press conference in Tel Aviv on Saturday. “There should never again be a situation where members of Hamas can stand at the border, cross it and kill our citizens.”
Regev did not provide details about the plan, which has already been presented to Egypt, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. But sources assume that it will be at the expense of the Gaza Strip.
The government adviser said Israel has no interest in reoccupying the Palestinian territory or controlling it for the long term. At the same time, according to him, Israel must maintain control over security in Gaza after the end of the war.
Government advisor Regev reiterated that Israel’s objective is to end Hamas’ rule in the region after sixteen years and to break the terrorist organization’s military capacity. “We want a new reality in Gaza, so that Israeli citizens no longer live in constant fear of Hamas invading the country and slaughtering their children.”
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‘Israel’s new war plan resembles a Battle of the Sea’
The security expert acknowledges that the war against Hamas is far from over and that is why Israel has also presented a new war plan. The striking plan is intended to guide Israel through the “next phase of war”. In addition, it should facilitate the evacuation of civilians.
In that plan, Israel divided the Gaza Strip into 620 small zones. These are evacuation areas, which would allow the army to evacuate in a more targeted manner. Aid organizations say it resembles a “macabre game of Battle of the Sea”, it writes The Guardian.
According to the zone plan, the areas are attacked in a targeted manner. Before the bombing begins, civilians in such a zone must be informed that they must leave the area. It is not clear how much time citizens in such a zone will have to leave.
In the southern Gaza Strip:
⭕️ Residents of Khirbet Khuza’a, Abasan, Bani Suhaila and Ma’an
⭕️Bani Suhaila residents residing in blocks 217, 218, 219, 220, 42, 45, 50
For your safety, we call on you to evacuate your homes immediately and go to the known shelter centers in Rafah.
⭕️Al-Qarara residents residing in the following blocks:… pic.twitter.com/p1VD22z9G9
– Avichay Adraee (@AvichaiAdraee) December 2, 2023
Bombings will continue unabated after the end of the ceasefire
Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip continue unabated on the second day after the end of the ceasefire. After the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel ended on Friday morning, fighting in the area flared up again.
An Israeli army spokesman said on Friday night that “Hamas military targets throughout the Gaza Strip” were being hit. A Hamas source said the organization’s armed wing “has been ordered to resume fighting and defend the Gaza Strip.”
The Israeli army said earlier that “more than 200 terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip” had been attacked. Sources in Gaza said more than 20 houses were hit.
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How the situation is deteriorating in Gaza after the ceasefire
Palestinian authorities report at least 193 deaths since the end of the fighting
The Palestinian health ministry in the Gaza Strip says 193 people have been killed since the end of the fighting pause. Hamas previously reported that 240 people were killed.
The ministry reports that some 650 Palestinians have also been injured since Israel resumed bombing of the Gaza Strip. The numbers mentioned have not been independently verified. The pause in fighting ended when, according to the Israeli armed forces, a rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip on Friday morning.
The attacks are taking place “all over the Gaza Strip”. The Israeli forces would mainly focus on Khan Younis, a city in the south of the densely populated coastal area. “Dozens of houses have been destroyed there with their residents inside,” the Palestinian health ministry said.
The ceasefire between Hamas and Israel lasted four days according to the original agreements, but was first extended by two days and then at the very last minute by one day. Hamas released hostages during this combat-free period in exchange for Israel’s release of Palestinian prisoners.
Citizens watch destruction on their city of Khan Younis, where the Israeli attacks would mainly focus. Photo: AFP
Hamas: Only hostage exchange in new ceasefire
Hamas has announced that it will only release Israeli hostages if there is a new ceasefire. This is reported by the news agency Reuters on the basis of Al Jazeera TV.
Hamas is said to still be holding more than a hundred people. According to Hamas official Saleh Al Arouri, these are Israeli soldiers and civilians who previously fought for the Israeli army.
Al Arouri says that Hamas will only release hostages if there is a ceasefire and if all Palestinian prisoners are released by Israel. “The time for compromise is over. Let the war take its course.”
A man looks at a poster showing Israelis allegedly being held hostage by Hamas. Photo: AFP
The conflict explained
2023-12-02 21:22:00
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