Background on the Current Situation
The Israeli military has issued recruitment orders to mobilize tens of thousands of reserve soldiers in preparation for expanding its offensive against the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Gaza, according to Israeli media reports on Saturday.
Key Players and Context
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, asserts that military pressure is the only means to compel Hamas to release the remaining captives. The conflict escalated after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in over 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Hamas also took 251 people hostage that day, with 58 still being held in Gaza, including 34 reported dead by the Israeli military.
Recent Developments
Following two months of truce with Hamas in Gaza and unsuccessful negotiations, Israel resumed bombing on March 18, followed by ground operations within the Palestinian territory governed by Hamas.
On Saturday night, Prime Minister Netanyahu criticized Qatar, an emirate mediating alongside Egypt for a potential truce with Hamas, urging it to “abandon its double game and double talk.”
Media Reports and Hostage Situation
Israeli military spokespersons neither confirmed nor denied reports of reserve mobilization, but sources close to AFP journalists have received their orders. According to public Israeli television, the security cabinet will meet on Sunday to approve the expansion of the military offensive in Gaza.
Hamas’s armed wing released a video of an injured Russian-Israeli hostage on Saturday night, which was circulated by the Ezedin al-Qasam Brigades. The authenticity of the video could not be verified by AFP, but the man, speaking Hebrew with a Russian accent, identified himself as “prisoner number 24” and claimed to have been wounded in an Israeli bombing. He also mentioned that Israel is approaching its independence day, suggesting the video was recorded before May 1.
Impact on Civilians and Protests
The conflict has resulted in at least 2,396 deaths since Israel resumed its offensive in Gaza in March, raising the total number of fatalities to 52,495, mostly civilians, according to figures from the UN-relied sources.
Meanwhile, thousands of Israelis protested on Saturday in front of the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, demanding actions to secure the release of hostages.
The government claims that the expanded operation aims to secure the release of captives held by Hamas. However, critics argue that it puts hostages in grave danger.
The Hostage Families Forum stated in a press release that “any escalation in fighting will immediately endanger (…) the hostages.”
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is involved in the conflict? The conflict involves Israel and Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist group governing Gaza.
- What triggered the recent escalation? The conflict intensified following an unprecedented attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
- What is the current objective of Israel’s military operation? The stated goal is to secure the release of captives held by Hamas.
- How many people have been killed in the conflict? According to AFP’s tally based on official Israeli figures, over 52,495 people have been killed, mostly civilians.
- How many hostages remain captive? As of now, 58 people remain hostage in Gaza, with at least 34 reported dead.
- What is the international community’s stance on the conflict? The UN considers the provided fatality figures reliable.
