On Wednesday, Israeli forces seized control of a critical roadway that bisects the Gaza Strip, effectively cutting off the northern part of the enclave from the south. This strategic move came as thousands of Palestinians continued to evacuate Gaza City amidst the ongoing Israeli offensive.
This significant Israeli advance coincided with crucial talks in Qatar, where Hamas officials met with mediators to discuss President Trump’s proposed peace plan for Gaza. The proposal, unveiled by Mr. Trump on Monday alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (who publicly endorsed it), aims to bring an end to the protracted conflict.
President Trump explicitly stated that if Palestinian militants reject the deal, Israel would receive “my full backing to finish the job of destroying the threat of Hamas.” Meanwhile, intense fighting persists on the ground throughout Gaza.
Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed on Wednesday that Israeli troops were finalizing their takeover of the central Netzarim Corridor, emphasizing that this vital roadway would effectively “cut Gaza in two between north and south.”
The Israeli assault on Gaza City has forced hundreds of thousands of residents to seek refuge in overcrowded tent camps in the south. However, countless others remain trapped in the northern city, many unable to find safe passage or lacking the means to relocate. Some who attempted to flee south even returned, finding no suitable shelter elsewhere.
Defense Minister Katz warned that those who chose to remain in Gaza City were now facing their “final opportunity” to escape the Israeli advance. He ominously suggested that individuals who stayed behind might be considered legitimate targets.
In a statement on social media, Mr. Katz declared, “Those who remain in the city will be terrorists and terrorism supporters.”
The Israeli military offered no official comment. However, an anonymous Israeli official clarified that the military’s current guidelines do not permit the blanket assumption that all remaining Gaza City residents are militants, acknowledging the sensitivity of the situation.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) issued a statement on Wednesday, reiterating that “under international humanitarian law, civilians must be protected whether they stay or leave Gaza City.” The aid organization further announced that it had been forced to halt its operations in the city due to the “intensification of military operations.”
The conflict with Hamas, now approaching its third year, has left the Gaza Strip utterly devastated. According to Gazan health officials, over 65,000 people have been killed. This tragic count, which includes thousands of children, does not differentiate between combatants and civilians.
The war began with Hamas’s devastating surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which claimed approximately 1,200 lives. Israel responded with a massive counteroffensive. Despite repeated rounds of negotiations leading to two brief truces, a lasting resolution remains elusive.
While many Gazans hold onto hope that Hamas will accept President Trump’s peace plan, its acceptance is far from guaranteed. The proposed framework includes significant demands: Hamas must promptly release all Israeli hostages, disarm, and effectively relinquish its governance over Gaza.
Under Trump’s plan, Gaza would be managed by a technocratic Palestinian government, comprising “qualified Palestinians and international experts” tasked with providing essential public services. This new administration would operate under the supervision of a “board of peace,” with President Trump himself serving as its chairman.