Hamas says Israel’s plan to conquer Gaza shows ‘blatant disregard’ for peace
Palestinian militant group Hamas said Wednesday that Israeli military plans to conquer Gaza City showed its “blatant disregard” for efforts to broker a ceasefire and hostage release deal in the nearly two-year conflict.
“Today’s announcement by the terrorist occupation army of the start of an operation against Gaza City and its nearly one million residents and displaced persons… demonstrates… a blatant disregard for the efforts made by the mediators,” it said in a statement.
Israel’s defense minister on Wednesday approved a military plan for the conquest of Gaza City, authorizing the call-up of about 60,000 reservists, piling pressure on Hamas as mediators push for a ceasefire.
Defense Minister Israel Katz’s order to send more troops into Gaza City, confirmed to AFP by a spokesman, came as an Israeli official said the government stood firm on its call for the release of all hostages in any agreement.
The framework that Hamas had approved proposes an initial 60-day truce, a staggered hostage release, the freeing of some Palestinian prisoners and provisions allowing for the entry of aid into Gaza.
On the ground in Gaza City on Wednesday, Mustafa Qazzaat, head of the emergency committee in the Gaza municipality, described the situation as “catastrophic,” with “large numbers” fleeing eastern neighborhoods.
One resident, Anis Daloul, 64, said the Israeli military had “destroyed most of the buildings in Zeitoun and displaced thousands of people.”
Israel’s security cabinet chaired by Netanyahu approved the plan to conquer Gaza City in early August, sparking fears it would worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
According to Israeli media reports, Netanyahu has not yet called a security cabinet meeting to discuss any response to the latest truce proposal.
His office said in a statement Wednesday that the prime minister had “directed that the timetables for seizing control of the last terrorist strongholds and the defeat of Hamas be shortened,” without indicating a specific timeframe.
