The situation in Gaza has escalated sharply following a series of military actions initiated by Israel as the conflict with Hamas deepens. On March 18, 2025, the Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz authorized ongoing military operations aimed at securing the release of Israeli prisoners held by Hamas. The Israeli army's return to extensive bombardments marked a clear violation of a ceasefire that had been in place since January 19, 2025, and has resulted in significant casualties among the Palestinian population. According to reports from the Palestinian Ministry of Health, 792 individuals have been killed and 1,663 injured as a consequence of these attacks.
Adding complexity to the situation, political leaders within Israel are advocating for a renewed long-term occupation of Gaza as part of a strategy to eliminate Hamas. This proposal, voiced by Israel's new chief of General Staff, Eyal Zamir, has found backing from right-wing figures within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Cabinet. Sources cited by the Financial Times suggest that the revival of this plan coincides with Donald Trump’s recent return to the White House, which has reportedly liberated Israeli authorities from previous American administrations' pressures to stay clear of occupation and annexation strategies.
Israel's military is currently preparing for what it refers to as a "ground operation" in Gaza, expecting to deploy several divisions to seize control over significant portions of the enclave. The plan also entails resettling over 2.2 million Palestinians to desolate areas along the Mediterranean coast near cities such as Khan Yunis and Deir el-Balah. This controversial shift would confine these individuals to restricted spaces where their survival would be heavily dependent on food aid provided either directly by the Israeli government or through private contractors—measures intended to prevent any resurgence of Hamas power.
Compounding matters, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has become increasingly dire. On March 24, 2025, the United Nations began evacuating its staff from the region following an Israeli shelling incident that resulted in the death of a humanitarian worker. Just days before, military actions had resumed after Hamas reportedly rejected a proposed truce suggested by U.S. envoy Steve Weitkoff.
The humanitarian implications of this conflict are severe. The Ministry of Health in Gaza has reported that the number of casualties has reached a staggering 50,000, accounting for approximately 2.1 percent of the population. A further 113,000 individuals have sustained injuries, while reports indicate that over 200 children have died as military operations continue unabated.
In a controversial move, Israel's Security Cabinet has officially voted to establish a bureau focused on facilitating what it calls "voluntary emigration" for Gazans interested in relocating to third countries. However, critics argue that this program lacks genuine voluntariness and is effectively a cover for the forced removal of Palestinians from their ancestral homes. This initiative had previously been championed by President Trump, who called for the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza, suggesting that the territory would become a new domain under U.S. control.
Israel's strategy towards Gaza has provoked international outrage and has been labeled a blatant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits the forced displacement of civilians during armed conflicts. As some reports indicate, the U.S. and Israel are in discussions with various countries in Africa and the Middle East to accept displaced Palestinian populations—a situation drawing troubling historical parallels to the Nazi regime's Madagascar Plan.
In the wake of these developments, humanitarian organizations have expressed profound concern over the trajectory of events in Gaza. Aid organizations have struggled to navigate the crisis, compounded by Israel’s blockade that has severely restricted the delivery of necessary supplies, including food, water, and medical care, leading to worsening conditions and starvation.
Under these circumstances, experts warn that continued military action in Gaza will only spur further radicalization among its population, complicating any future paths toward normalization of relations between Israel and Arab states, and potentially exacerbating the overall regional instability.
With violence clearly escalating, the impact on civilians grows ever more severe. Multiple strikes in recent days have targeted populated areas, including the Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis, where a high-ranking Hamas leader and several civilians were killed—a clear infringement of international law as hospitals are not legitimate military targets.
In light of these events, analysts highlight the urgent need for a comprehensive political solution to the enduring Israeli-Palestinian conflict, one that addresses the core grievances and is based on mutual respect and recognition of sovereignty. Moreover, they underscore that military solutions alone will not bring peace to the region but are likely to lead to more bloodshed and suffering for all involved.
