Israel says it is ready for a 'temporary ceasefire' in Gaza, but orders evacuation of areas amid renewed bombing.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday he was prepared for a "temporary ceasefire" in Gaza to free the Israeli hostages, of whom he assured that 20 were "certainly" alive. However, hours after the announcement, the Israeli army requested the evacuation of several areas in the north of the enclave, anticipating a new wave of attacks.
Israel is facing growing pressure from the international community to abandon its military campaign in Gaza and allow aid into the Palestinian territory, where humanitarian agencies warn that the total blockade imposed has led to severe shortages of food and medicine.
Mourners pray over the bodies of victims of the Israeli attacks on Gaza. Photo: AFP
During a televised press conference, the president reiterated that the Israeli army will control "the entire Gaza Strip" at the end of the offensive launched against the Islamist movement Hamas in the Palestinian territory.
Regarding the Gazan population, Netanyahu said he intends to displace the 2.1 million people to an area in the southern Gaza Strip as he takes control of the territory in the enclave.
He explained that when the area is "cleansed of Hamas," Gazans will receive humanitarian aid, access to which has been blocked by Israel since March 2.
Palestinian demonstration against Hamas, calling for an end to the war. Photo: AFP
Meanwhile, the Israeli military's announcement of a new wave of attacks in the area comes after the armed forces recorded a rocket launched toward Israeli territory, which was intercepted.
The army's Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay Adraee, called for the clearance and evacuation of 13 areas in the northern part of the Strip, including the Jabalia refugee camp and Beit Lahia, and warned of an attack.
"The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will operate with great force in all areas from which rockets are launched," the spokesman said in a message on X, adding: "For your own safety, evacuate immediately to the south."
In mid-March, the fragile truce between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, which is in power in the Strip, collapsed days after the Israeli state reimposed its blockade of the enclave, leading, according to several NGOs, to the threat of "mass famine" for its 2.4 million inhabitants.
Israel's goal is to "defeat" Hamas and secure the release of the hostages still held in the Strip, captured by the Islamist militants in their surprise attack on October 7, 2023.
Humanitarian crisis in Gaza This Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that none of its trucks have been able to enter Gaza so far, despite 68 vehicles being prepared to do so.
Palestinians wait for food on May 17. Photo: AFP
"Two trucks (with the help of other humanitarian actors) were able to enter on Tuesday, and three others were denied access, but none from the WHO have been able to enter Gaza so far," said Mike Ryan, the agency's director of Humanitarian Emergencies, during a discussion on the health situation in the Palestinian Territories.
The NGO Doctors Without Borders (MSF) also said that the humanitarian aid authorized by Israel in Gaza is "ridiculously insufficient."
Hours later, Israel announced that 100 trucks carrying UN humanitarian aid entered Gaza on Wednesday, after allowing 93 to enter the day before.
The UN has not confirmed the entry.
"One hundred trucks belonging to the UN and the international community carrying humanitarian aid, including flour, baby food, and medical supplies, were transferred today [Wednesday] to the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom border crossing," reported Cogat, the Israeli Defense Ministry's office in charge of civil affairs in the Palestinian Territories.
At least 53,655 people have died in the Palestinian territory since the start of the war, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza.
Of these, some 3,509 people have died since Israel resumed its attacks on March 18.
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