Netanyahu says Israeli army will enter Gaza with 'full force' in coming days

LAST UPDATE | 17 hrs ago

THE ISRAELI MILITARY is going to enter Gaza “with full force” in the coming days, according to its prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

Under the plan, which has been internationally condemned by world leaders, Netanyahu said it could involve his government displacing Palestinians from Gaza and working with other nations to accept refugees.

He estimated that over half of people in Gaza will leave, if given the option. It comes as Israel’s humanitarian aid blockade on the region enters its third month, amid renewed bombardment and ground offensives across the territory.

In a statement, Netanyahu said: “In the very coming days, we are going in with full force to complete the operation. Completing the operation means defeating Hamas. It means destroying Hamas.”

“There will be no situation where we stop the war. A temporary ceasefire might happen, but we are going all the way.”

Border crossings into Gaza have also been closed for over two months – the longest the population has ever faced – causing food prices in markets to spike to astronomical levels, putting what little food is available out of reach for most families.

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Israel’s blockade on humanitarian aid entering Gaza has put the entire population at “critical risk of famine”, with roughly half a million Gazans facing starvation, a global hunger monitor warned yesterday.

At least 52,908 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, the Gaza Health Ministry said earlier today.

‘Gaza is experiencing war crimes’

Asked by The Journal for his reaction to the announced this afternoon, Tánaiste and foreign affairs minister Simon Harris said the statements from the Israeli government are becoming increasingly more alarming.

He said: “The people of Gaza are experiencing war crimes being carried out by the Government of Israel in relation to the civilian impact there, in relation to the killing of children, in relation to the deprivation of aid, basic medicines, food supplies.”

Earlier, Israel’s military said it struck a hospital in Khan Younis. Hamas said in a statement that the strike killed a journalist being treated after an Israeli attack last month.

The health ministry in Gaza said the strike killed two people and wounded several others, while the Hamas government media office said journalist Hassan Aslih was “assassinated”.

Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for the Gaza civil defence agency, said that “the Israeli army bombed the surgery building at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis at dawn on Tuesday, killing journalist Hassan Aslih”.

The Committee to Protect Journalists has condemned the attack.

Includes reporting by Muiris Ó Cearbhaill and Niall O’Connor