Israel has reignited its military operations in the Gaza Strip, marking a campaign that could potentially be more lethal and catastrophic than previous efforts. This escalation follows a cessation in hostilities as Israel seeks broader objectives with fewer hindrances.
The renewed conflict began on Tuesday with an unexpected bombardment that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians, following Israel’s decision to end the fragile ceasefire. Israel continues its military actions, demanding the release of remaining hostages by Hamas and the evacuation of the militant group from the territory.
The stance from the United States, particularly under President Donald Trump, has been one of strong support for Israel’s campaign. In an unusual suggestion, Trump advocated for relocating the entire Palestinian population of Gaza to other countries. Iran-backed militant groups aligned with Hamas appear to be in disarray as the situation unfolds.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fortified his coalition, and with the reduction in hostages held in Gaza, the Israeli military finds itself with greater latitude to operate. This sets the stage for an intensely aggressive phase that might overshadow previous battles where tens of thousands were killed, Gaza’s infrastructure decimated, and a massive displacement of its residents occurred.
Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning that if Hamas does not comply with demands to release hostages and leave Gaza, Israel’s military response will be unprecedented in scale. Katz hinted at other opportunities opening for Palestinians, should Hamas be expelled and the hostages freed.
During the early stages of the conflict, the Biden administration played a crucial role in providing military and diplomatic backing to Israel while advocating for minimization of civilian harm. However, Biden’s efforts to ensure humanitarian support for Gaza met with varied success. Despite initial opposition to further Israeli offensives, the Biden administration worked closely with allies like Egypt and Qatar to establish a ceasefire. Yet, the Trump administration removed such restraints, showing no criticism towards Israel’s aggressive measures upon resuming military offensives.
Israel justified these actions as necessary to dismantle Hamas and avert future attacks akin to the one on October 7, 2023, when militants killed over a thousand civilians and kidnapped 251 people. Meanwhile, the Biden administration had expressed doubts about Hamas’s capabilities post-assault.
Since conflict reignited, more than 48,000 Palestinians are reported dead. Critics highlight that over half of these fatalities are women and children, though Israel maintains its focus on combatants as targets.
Trump’s administration revisited their stance on humanitarian interventions, with Trump once suggesting that Gaza’s population be relocated, a move that received widespread condemnation from Palestinians and Arab nations. Experts warned this could breach international law, yet Israel reportedly started drafting plans regarding this proposal.
Netanyahu faced pressure from the families of Israeli hostages who favored the truce, but his decision to pursue military actions has bolstered his position. His government now includes far-right figures like Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich who support ongoing military operations and envision rebuilding previous Jewish settlements in Gaza.
Hamas continues to control Gaza despite significant losses in leadership and military strength. Recent rocket attacks on Israel caused no casualties, but represent Hamas’s diminished capacity. Past conflicts with Hezbollah and altered regional dynamics, including Syria’s political shifts, have challenged militant groups historically tied to Iran. Iran’s response appears muted, as they reckon with diplomatic tensions and threats from Trump’s administration over its nuclear agenda.
Meanwhile, Israel faces less international scrutiny this time around. Earlier phases prompted global protests and brought accusations of war crimes against Netanyahu. The current international climate hints at less resistance, particularly as U.S.-Israeli relations shift under Trump who has moved to stifle dissent and criticism within the United States and from influential global institutions. Such actions may insulate Israel from global reproach, setting a concerning precedent for future conduct in the region.
