The Israeli prime minister insisted that the resumed humanitarian deliveries would not halt the military campaign: “We will not give in.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that Israel would take full control of the Gaza Strip and prevent the Islamist militant group Hamas from seizing humanitarian aid, in a video statement posted to social media.
Netanyahu’s message, released on his official Telegram channel, came a day after Israel said it would ease its blockade and allow limited quantities of food into the war-torn territory. The Israeli military had also announced the start of “extensive ground operations” in both the northern and southern areas of Gaza.
“The fighting is intense, and we are making progress,” Netanyahu said. “We will take control of the entire territory of the strip.”
“We will not give in,” he added, explaining the decision to permit aid deliveries. “But in order to succeed, we must act in a way that cannot be stopped.”
Netanyahu emphasized that preventing widespread famine was both a practical and diplomatic necessity. Under Israel’s current war plan, called Operation Gideon’s Chariots, the country aims to assert full control over Gaza and ensure that aid is not diverted by Hamas.
Hamas has denied any involvement in the looting of aid.
According to Palestinian media, 50 trucks carrying flour, cooking oil, and legumes were expected to enter the coastal enclave later on Monday. Israeli media reported that nine additional trucks carrying baby formula would also arrive shortly.
Israel imposed a strict blockade on Gaza on March 2, halting the entry of essential supplies into the enclave, home to more than 2.4 million people. The blockade, coupled with Israel’s ongoing military campaign, has led to mounting fears of famine.
In response, the United Nations and international leaders have intensified their calls for unrestricted humanitarian access. “Israel will authorize the entry of basic food supplies to prevent a famine,” Netanyahu’s office said Sunday, adding that measures would be taken to ensure the aid does not fall into Hamas’s hands.
Despite efforts to reach a ceasefire through indirect negotiations in Qatar—with Egypt and the United States acting as mediators—no new truce has been achieved. A one-week pause in late 2023 and a two-month lull earlier this year were both broken when Israel resumed its offensive in March.
Gazan rescue workers reported that 22 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across the territory in the past 24 hours. The Israeli military said its forces struck more than 160 Hamas targets on Sunday, including anti-tank missile launch sites and underground infrastructure.
International frustration continues to grow. “We must say ‘enough’ to the Israeli government,” Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Saturday. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called on the international community to “intensify pressure on Israel to stop the massacre in Gaza.”
Keep Independent Journalism Alive
In a world flooded with noise, independent journalism is more vital than ever. We work hard to bring you clear, accurate, and unbiased international news — free from corporate or political influence.If you believe in the power of honest reporting, please consider making a donation. Every contribution, big or small, helps us stay independent and keep the world informed.
Support us via PayPalYour support makes a difference.
