Israel has already taken significant steps toward a total military conquest of Gaza City. This effort raises alarming red flags in regard to the ongoing humanitarian crisis and its far-reaching impact on the region. As a result, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel intends to achieve complete military control over the entirety of the Gaza Strip. He stressed the need to “liberate” its residents from Hamas. On 23 May, Israel’s security cabinet approved a military plan for the occupation. This announcement represents a monumental shift in the tide of the war.
The security cabinet has acted courageously. Their undeclared objectives might be to defeat and disarm Hamas, return of all hostages, and restore Israeli military/security dominance over Gaza. If implemented, this plan could lead to Israel’s physical occupation of Gaza City, thereby making it responsible for the welfare of its population under international law. That picture is still developing, and Israel is reportedly preparing an invasion of tanks and troops into the zone in coming days.
The Heart of Gaza: Gaza City
Gaza City is regarded as the vibrant heart of the Gaza Strip, characterized by its bustling shops, cafes, and nearly half of the region’s hospitals. The separation has meant that with the conflict continuing, the lives of the population have only grown more crowded. Estimates indicate that at least 500,000—and as many as 765,000—displaced Palestinians have taken refuge inside its borders.
Ahmed Al Sufi, a local resident, highlighted the dire circumstances faced by many:
“People are now trapped in a narrow coastal strip in western Gaza, western Khan Younis, and the western parts of the central region — specifically in the Al-Mawasi area, which lacks even the most basic necessities of life.”
Ongoing displacement during the course of the conflict has deepened the crisis. Adel Shomali, another affected resident, expressed frustration over repeated displacements:
“It’s enough the displacement from the beginning of the war until the last ceasefire, and we were displaced from Gaza City to the south and then back to Gaza City.”
Implications of Israeli Occupation
The possibility of Israel seizing full control of Gaza City would violate international law in more ways than one. If Israel is going to assume governance over Gaza without a different authority, it has an obligation to provide basic services to the civilian population impacted. This means access to food, water, medicine, and safe shelter. This evolving state of affairs demonstrates the moral ramifications of military occupation and marks the beginning of inquiry into Israel’s regional ambitions.
Human rights groups worry that a larger Israeli presence could open the door to future resettlement efforts. Several senior politicians inside Israel’s coalition government have publicly called for resettlement in Gaza, among them national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. But even if they did, these actions would still violate international law, which forbids a military occupier from transferring its own civilians into occupied territory.
Before Israel’s unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, there were around 8,000 settlers residing in 21 settlements spread throughout Gaza. It has already been two decades since Israelis lived in the territory. As the situation continues to deteriorate, countless others are asking whether returning—even if welcomed—would be legal or moral.
Concerns Over Humanitarian Crisis
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has become increasingly dire. As military operations continue to escalate, we heard local residents worry about their safety and future. Jaber Abu Odeh, a displaced individual living in a tent, voiced his concerns about worsening conditions:
“I live in a tent, dumped in the street, but the upcoming situation is going to be worse because of what they are capable of implementing.”
The looming military offensive is both alarming in its expected loss of life and risk of additional dislocation. Ahmed Al Sufi warned about the catastrophic consequences of an invasion:
“If the army enters these remaining areas, I honestly don’t know where people can go. There will be nowhere left. The situation would become absolutely catastrophic.”
A Jordanian official remarked on the regional implications:
“Arabs will not be agreeing to Netanyahu’s policies nor clean his mess.”
