Outlook Web Desk
Israel declared in retaliation for the October 7 assault by Hamas, during which the extremist organization caused the deaths of 1,200 individuals, mostly innocent civilians, and seized approximately 250 more as captives.
As per Reuters, the latest figures of the number of children that have been killed in Gaza are 13,000. The humanitarian office in Gaza also cited the death at least 9,000 women over the six months of war.
The Israeli military said Friday that it has dismissed two officers and reprimanded three others for their roles in drone strikes in Gaza that killed seven aid workers on a food-delivery mission, saying they had mishandled critical information and violated the army's rules of engagement.
The killings were condemned by Israel's closest allies and renewed criticism of Israel's conduct in the nearly 6-month-old war with Hamas.
Israel, which initially experienced a sense of unity has now become divided again, with its controversial leader at the center of the controversy. There has been a significant increase in weekly protests against the government, drawing in thousands of participants. These protests stem from long-standing grievances against Netanyahu, ranging from his political associations with far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties to his ongoing corruption trial.
The Israeli military operation in Gaza has resulted in widespread devastation and significant casualties for Hamas. Israel asserts that it has 'eliminated' around 13,000 Hamas militants and weakened the group's military capacity throughout most of Gaza. However, Hamas remains operational in Rafah, and its fighters have regrouped in areas where Israel had claimed victory before. While there have been isolated instances of public dissatisfaction with Hamas in Gaza, there is no widespread evidence of opposition against the group.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard General Hossein Salami has promised to take revenge for the attack on Iran's Consulate in the Syrian capital, which killed seven members of the guard. The airstrike, believed to be carried out by Israel, has sparked widespread anger, with thousands of people chanting anti-Israel and anti-America slogans during the funeral procession for the slain officers.
Netanyahu has proposed a plan that entails indefinite Israeli control over the territory, while local Palestinian partners in Gaza handle daily operations. Israel aims for the international community, including affluent Arab Gulf states, to finance the reconstruction efforts. However, these plans contradict the visions advocated by the US and other international partners, and the Palestinians.
Despite the strong military attack by Israel, Hamas is still in existence, although considerably weakened. The military offensive has caused a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, leading to the displacement of over 80 per cent of the population and leaving more than 1 million people on the verge of starvation. However, Israel has not put forward a postwar plan that is acceptable to its allies, and discussions for a cease-fire are currently at a deadlock.