Gaza City, Gaza Strip – The Israeli government has been beset by internal divisions as the devastation in Gaza continues to unfold. Amidst a military onslaught against Hamas that has lasted nearly three months, disagreements within the government have become increasingly public. The infighting was sparked by a “fight” in a security cabinet meeting over how to handle investigations into the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. Leading politicians publicly feuded, highlighting the deep divisions within the government.
One of the main points of contention is the post-war plan for Gaza. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant presented a vision that envisions no Hamas control of the enclave and no presence of Israeli citizens. However, this plan was criticized by the far-right finance minister, who called for renewed Israeli settlement construction in Gaza and the “voluntary migration” of its civilians.
The conflict has taken a devastating toll on the people of Gaza, with the United Nations’ top emergency relief official warning that the region faces the “highest levels of food insecurity ever recorded.” Displaced civilians live without access to basic necessities in packed tent camps in southern Gaza. Satellite images published on Wednesday reveal the extent of the overcrowding in these camps.
The violence continues to escalate, with deadly Israeli airstrikes targeting Khan Younis in southern Gaza. At least 12 people were killed in these strikes. In addition, there were reports of casualties in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp and in Deir al-Balah.
As the situation worsens, major diplomatic visits are taking place. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Turkey for a multi-country tour, focusing on back-channel diplomacy with Iran and addressing regional tensions. The European Union’s foreign policy chief is also in Lebanon to discuss the situation at its border with Israel, which experiences regular clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli troops.
In the midst of the conflict, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah claimed that many Israeli troops had been killed or wounded in the ongoing clashes. He stated that the aim of these clashes was to “mount pressure on the enemy government and to stop the assault on Gaza.” Meanwhile, in Yemen, Houthi supporters gathered to commemorate fighters killed by the US Navy in the Red Sea.
The Israel Defense Forces released a video showing one of what they claim are seven tunnel shafts underneath the Blue Beach resort along the Mediterranean Sea in northern Gaza. According to the IDF, Hamas uses these tunnels to carry out attacks both above and below ground.
As the Israeli government grapples with internal divisions, Gaza faces an increasingly dire situation. People are suffering from food insecurity, displacement, and the constant threat of violence. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with diplomatic efforts underway to address the escalating crisis. The Israeli military has announced plans to conduct investigations into their “failures” during the conflict.