Description: The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have announced the commencement of the operation Gideon’s Chariots which considerably threatens the lives of the remaining 2 million Palestinians within Gaza. The operation would allegedly undertake key strategic points in the enclave and would aim at suffocating Hamas militarily and logistically forcing the release of the remaining 58 Israeli hostages. Bombing runs over the weekend left more than 100 people dead and completely obliterated the humanitarian aid and medical networks, leaving countless people without access to elementary supplies. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has stated that Israel would allow the entry of limited supply of humanitarian aid as a potential aggravation of the humanitarian crisis would impede the ground offensive initiative. Peace talks in Qatar also continued, as neither side reported any significant progress in restating the ceasefire and reengaging in hostage exchanges.
Impact: The announced ground offensive by Israel previously approved by the country’s Security Cabinet further antagonizes the war as the ongoing peace negotiations haven’t surpassed any predetermined impasses between Israel and Hamas. Trump’s apparent isolation of Netanyahu during his Middle East visits hasn’t impacted Israel’s position as they continue to plunge the region into a perpetual war. The blocked humanitarian aid, which recently entered its third month, highlights Israel’s weaponization of crucial supplies in order to force Hamas to disarm and abandon the enclave or its governmental and political structures. With the diplomatic initiative to bring the war to a halt considerably failing, Israel would continue to pressure Hamas by any means necessary which would effectively cause inconsiderable humanitarian disaster in the region.