The vice is still tightening a little more on the Palestinian enclave. Israel announced on Monday, May 5, a new military campaign which plans to “Conquest of the Gaza Strip” and will require the internal displacement of most of the inhabitants of the territory.
The objective displayed by the government of Benyamin Netanyahu, one of the most on the right in the history of Israel, is always “Overcome” Hamas and “Bring back the hostages” removed during the attacks of October 7. Franceinfo returns in three questions on this plan which was notably condemned by Paris.
1 What does the plan provide?
After a unanimous vote of the Prime Minister’s security firm, the Israeli government spokesman David Spencer detailed the Hebrew state plan on Monday. According to him, he plans “to extend [l’offensive] and control of territories, but not to occupy “, “A displacement of the Gazan population to the south for its own protection” as well as “Powerful strikes against Hamas”. In order to carry out this plan of “conquest” of Gaza, Israel intends to recall “Tens of thousands of reservists”said David Spencer.
Benyamin Netanyahu quickly confirmed that a new offensive “Intensified” In Gaza would soon be deployed, without giving more details on temporality. In a four -minute video published on X, he estimates that the significant movement of the Gazaouie population is necessary “For his own protection”.
From the border with the Gaza Strip, the new spokesperson for the Israeli army, Effie Defrin, said on Monday evening that the new military campaign on the Palestinian enclave was going to require the internal displacement of “The majority” of its inhabitants. David Spencer also said that the Israeli government wanted to continue “To explore the Trump plan”which consists in moving the civilians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan to make the Palestinian territory the “Riviera du Middle East”.
The announcement of this plan comes asThe United Nations continues to alert on the humanitarian disaster and the risk of famine to which the approximately 2.4 million Palestinians are exposed. The Israeli security firm judges on the contrary that there is “Currently enough food”. He also agreed to “Possibility of a humanitarian distribution” If it were to be “necessary”.
2 How are these announcements welcomed in Gaza and Israel?
In Gaza, the daily obsession of the inhabitants remains to fight for their survival in an environment devastated by fighting. It has been more than 60 days since Israel ordered the cessation of all humanitarian aid entering the Palestinian territory. No food, no fuel, or even drugs. Residents interviewed by AFP therefore believe that the new offensive should not significantly change the already disastrous situation on the ground.
“The Israeli announcement concerning the extension of military operations in Gaza is only powder in the eyes for the media, because the whole Gaza band is occupied”judge Mohammed Al-Shaoua, 65, resident of the city of Gaza. For Aouni Aouad, who lives in a tent in the south of the territory“Israel has not stopped war, killings, bombing, destruction, siege or famine that continue every daynotes this man in his forties. So how can he speak of intensification of military operations? “
For its part, Hamas reacted on Tuesday by believing that there was “No sense to initiate negotiations, nor to examine new proposals of ceasefire as long as the war of hunger and the war of extermination in the Gaza Strip continue”. “The world must put pressure on the Netanyahu government to end the crimes of hunger, thirst and murders” In Gaza, added to AFP Basem Naïm, a member of the political bureau of the Palestinian Islamist movement.
While Benyamin Netanyahu intends to defeat Hamas and ensure the “Return of the hostages” With the implementation of this new plan, Israelis have expressed their disagreement. In front of the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament, thousands of people demonstrated on Monday against the new military campaign driven by their country, reports the correspondent in Jerusalem of RFI.
“Unlike the wishes of more than 70% of the population”the government has decided to put “All hostages in danger of death”wrote the family forum in a press release. The largest association of hostages in hostages in Israel denounces a plan that “Also threaten life” soldiers.
“Not only will the hostages return to coffins, but the soldiers too. We send children to die for nothing”abounds with the newspaper Haaretz Luis Cunio, father of the hostages David and Ariel Cunio. For Anat Angrest, mother of the hostage soldier Matan Angrest, “It seems that the government has[it] Placed the defeat of Hamas above the rescue and the return of the hostages “.
3 What are the international reactions?
In France, the Minister of Foreign Affairs estimated on Tuesday on RTL that the attitude of Israel “n’[étai]t not acceptable ” and condemned “Very firm” This plan for the Gaza Strip. “The urgency is the ceasefire, the unhindered access of humanitarian aid massively and the release of the hostages of Hamas”insisted Jean-Noël Barrot. The chief of French diplomacy also confirmed that Paris worked at the Recognition of the Palestinian State Announced by Emmanuel Macron in April.
UN secretary general Antonio Guterres said on Monday “alarm” by the new objectives of Israel. “This will inevitably lead to an incalculable number of additional civilians and more destruction of Gaza”said one of his spokespersons.
The European Union is also “concerned”. “The planned extension of the Israeli Forces operation in Gaza will lead to new victims and sufferings for the Palestinian population. We urge Israel to show the greatest restraint”said Anouar El Anouni, EU spokesperson for foreign affairs, during the daily press point of the European Commission.
