ALBAWABA - With Israeli propaganda implying an impending, massive ground assault intended to alter the dynamics of the area and lessen Hamas' authority, Gaza finds itself at a pivotal point.
Plans are in motion to split the Gaza Strip, take over half of its land, and weaken Hamas' military and economic hold, according to a report by Israel's "Walla" news website.
According to reports, the plan calls for setting up assistance distribution hubs run by American businesses in order to go around Hamas and destroy its social and economic structures. The strategy would need the reallocation of troops from other fronts, including Syria, Lebanon, and the West Bank, as well as the significant mobilization of Israeli reserve forces.
A prominent member of Israel's far-right political movement, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, has openly advocated for direct Israeli administration and complete military occupation of Gaza. Supporting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ongoing insistence that the conflict won't stop until Hamas is destroyed and Israeli captives are restored, Smotrich said in a social media post that such action is required to safeguard national security.
Regarding humanitarian issues, 90% of Gaza's population has been displaced, according to UNRWA. As the siege and bombing continue, more than 420,000 people have been displaced once again, and relief has been denied for more than 40 days.
Although the Israeli government has not officially acknowledged the intentions, political rhetoric and increased military action indicate that a significant escalation may be on the horizon. The conflict's course seems to be more closely linked to events on the battlefield as diplomacy fails and misery increases.
