Synopsis
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced a new policy blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza, aiming to weaken Hamas' control over the population. This decision is part of a broader strategy to secure hostages and defeat Hamas amid ongoing military operations.Key Takeaways
- Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza is aimed at weakening Hamas.
- Israeli forces continue military operations against Hamas infrastructure.
- Humanitarian aid is being withheld to facilitate future distributions.
- Over 51,000 deaths reported in Gaza since the war began.
- Israel's military presence in Gaza is intended to remain in place.
Jerusalem, April 16 (NationPress) The Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz, announced on Wednesday that Israel has implemented a strategy to block humanitarian assistance to Gaza in an effort to weaken Hamas' grip on the local population.
Following a recent field visit to Gaza alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and top military officials, Katz detailed Israel's comprehensive military strategy. He emphasized that the goal is to secure the release of hostages and to ultimately defeat Hamas.
“Israel’s stance is unequivocal — no humanitarian assistance will be permitted to enter Gaza,” Katz stated. “At this moment, there are no plans or intentions to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza given the prevailing circumstances,” he added.
Reports from Xinhua indicate that Israel reinstated its blockade on essential supplies, including food, water, medicine, and fuel, starting March 2. Netanyahu clarified that this action aims to compel Hamas to agree to extend the initial phase of the ceasefire and hostage release arrangement, without necessitating an end to the conflict.
Katz mentioned that the withholding of aid is designed to “weaken Hamas’s influence over the populace and facilitate future aid distributions through private entities” without Hamas's involvement.
Furthermore, Israeli forces are persistently targeting Hamas militants and their infrastructure, as stated by Katz, while preparing for subsequent phases of their military operation.
According to Katz, the military will not retreat from areas they have captured and will maintain a presence in specified “security zones” throughout Gaza.
He cautioned that if Hamas continues to dismiss Israel's conditions for a hostage agreement, “the operation will escalate and advance to the next phases.”
According to health authorities in Gaza, Israeli assaults have resulted in over 51,000 fatalities in the region since the onset of the conflict.
