Israeli opposition leader, Yair Lapid has slammed Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to launch a ground invasion of Gaza City.
In an interview with an Israeli media outlet, Lapid expressed bewilderment at the lack of clarity on what the “end picture is” for Gaza and “how we’ll bring back the hostages, how we’ll end the war.”
“This is senseless. I haven’t heard in all my years of a military operation that has no political objective.
“They’re sending the army to fight there. Soldiers will be killed. Hostages will be killed, and nobody understands what the goal is.”
Yair Lapid
In an update on X, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) noted that they have begun expanding ground operations in Gaza City as part of Operation Gideon’s Chariots II.
“In the past day, IDF activity in Gaza City has began according to the operational plan, and is expected to expand in line with the current situational assessment.Its aim is to achieve the war’s objectives in Gaza and to enhance the achievements made during combat.”
Israel Defense Forces (IDF)
An Israeli military official said in a briefing that Israel will gradually increase the number of its troops in Gaza City as it estimates 40% of the residents have already fled towards the south of the territory.
Palestinian people in Gaza City have been told by the IDF to move to al-Mawasi in southern Gaza, which is often struck by Israeli airstrikes despite being a so-called “safe zone.”
Lapid noted in the interview, “Everything is amateurish and sloppy and arrogant and improvised, and then he [Netanyahu] cries that there’s international isolation,” referring to Netanyahu’s remark yesterday.
Netanyahu warned that Israel is facing a “kind of isolation” that could last for years, and has no choice but to stand on its own. Speaking at a finance ministry conference, Netanyahu said that Israel’s economy would need to adapt to “autarkic characteristics” – becoming more self-sufficient and less reliant on external trade.
One of the key industries facing isolation is weapons trade, he said, which may force Israel to avoid reliance on foreign arms imports.
“We’ll need to develop our weapons industry – we’re going to be Athens and super Sparta combined. We have no choice, at least for the coming years when we’ll be required to deal with these isolation attempts.”
Benjamin Netanyahu
Netanyahu partly attributed the isolation to “an extreme Islamist agenda” which he claimed had a “very negative influence” on European foreign policy. He also said rival states – “among them Qatar” – have shaped global discourse on social media, which “puts us into a kind of isolation.”
Meanwhile, the Israeli public, hostage families, and even the military have opposed expanding the war over concerns it could endanger the hostages and worsen the humanitarian toll but Netanyahu has insisted on pressing ahead.
Forced Displacement
Palestinians have been forced to flee south to the al-Mawasi encampment on the coast, where hundreds of thousands of people are crammed into a sea of tents without sanitation, regular water access or basic services.
The IDF Arabic-language Spokesperson, Col Avichay Adraee, issued this warning on social media to Gaza City residents, saying, “The IDF has begun dismantling Hamas terrorist infrastructure in Gaza City.”
“Gaza City is a dangerous combat zone. Remaining in the city endangers you. For your safety, evacuate as quickly as possible to the published safe areas, by vehicle or on foot, via the Al-Rashid corridor, south of Wadi Gaza.
“Join the over 40% of the city’s residents who have already evacuated to protect their own safety and that of their loved ones.”
Avichay Adraee
Israel has regularly struck al-Mawasi despite declaring it a “safe zone” and there is almost no room in the overcrowded area for newcomers, prompting some people to return to Gaza City despite the risks.
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