Israel’s offensive has already killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not say how many were fighters or civilians.
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The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. The UN and independent experts view its figures as the most reliable estimate of war casualties. Israel disputes them but has not provided its own.
Opposition inside Israel
Another major ground operation will almost certainly lead to the killing of more Israeli soldiers in hit-and-run attacks, eroding domestic support for the war, and could endanger the remaining hostages.
Hamas-led militants killed about1200 people, mostly civilians, in the October 7 attack and abducted 251 hostages. Most have since been released in ceasefires or other deals. Fifty remain inside the territory, about 20 of whom are believed by Israel to be alive.
Palestinian militants have released videos in recent days showing emaciated hostages, saying they are suffering the same starvation as the Palestinian population. Hamas is believed to be holding the hostages in tunnels and other secret locations and has hinted it will kill them if Israeli forces draw near.
Protesters in Tel Aviv set a fire on Thursday as they hold photos of hostages held in the Gaza Strip during a protest calling for a hostages deal.Credit: Getty Images
Former security officials have also spoken out against further military operations, saying there is little to gain after Hamas has been militarily decimated.
Israel’s military chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, reportedly argued during a security cabinet meeting that a more sweeping plan to retake all of Gaza would endanger the hostages and put added strain on the army after two years of regional wars.
International outrage
Israel has come under mounting international pressure in recent weeks as images of starving children have shone a light on the worsening hunger crisis. Twenty-eight Western-aligned nations, including some of Israel’s closest allies, called for it to end the war last month.
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Even US President Donald Trump, the strongest supporter it has ever had in the White House, has expressed concern about the hunger crisis. He has said he wants to end the war and return all the hostages, but also that it’s up to Israel to decide its next moves.
Israel has dismissed the criticism, saying it has done everything it can to limit harm to civilians and blaming Hamas for their deaths. Netanyahu has denied there is starvation in Gaza despite eyewitness testimony, data compiled by experts and dire warnings from United Nations officials and major international aid groups operating there.
On Saturday, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong united with four of her western counterparts – from Germany, Italy, New Zealand and Britain – to reject Israel’s push to intensify the war.
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“We urge the parties and the international community to make all efforts to finally bring this conflict to an end now, through an immediate and permanent ceasefire,” the foreign ministers said in a statement.
Germany also took the extraordinary step of suspending arms sales to Israel if the weapons could be used in Gaza, while European leaders urged Israel to reconsider its plan, fearing even greater bloodshed.
Netanyahu has said more military pressure is needed to get Hamas to agree to release the hostages and surrender.
But Hamas has already withstood one of the deadliest and most destructive military campaigns since World War II. The militant group says it will only release the remaining hostages in return for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal.
AP
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