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Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir announced that the military will activate tens of thousands of army reserves in coming weeks while expanding its operations in Gaza. Netanyahu released a statement on Monday saying that Israel would indefinitely reoccupy areas of Gaza as part of the latest military campaign. Various Israeli officials including National Security minister Itamar Ben Givr have argued that “total victory” is the only acceptable outcome of the war. Speaking at a Settlers’ conference Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that within a year Gaza’s population would be confined to a small narrow strip of land while the rest of the territory would be destroyed. He also pledged to annex the West Bank before the current government expires in October 2026. Israeli activists protested the government’s decision to continue and intensify the military offensive arguing that it will not bring the hostages home alive. Several aid organizations reported that the famine in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels and urged states to take immediate action to resume aid deliveries calling Israel’s siege of the territory “unlawful.” The Euro-Med Monitor accused Israel of using starvation as tool of war. Over the past week, dozens have died due to malnutrition and lack of adequate medical care according to local authorities. The Times of Israel reported that Israeli plans to resume humanitarian aid shipments into Gaza will initially only feed sixty percent of the population. Israel hopes that some countries will take in Palestinians to account for the deficiency in humanitarian aid. Israel has pressed for “voluntary emigration” from Gaza. According to the Washington Post, the US pressed the UN and several aid organizations to participate in the new plan.
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