Nakba II on the cards as Netanyahu says Israel will control all of Gaza?
Hamas leader warns that further intensification of the military campaign would amount to a ‘death sentence’ for the remaining Israeli hostages
THE WORLDVIEW
May 19, 2025
ISRAELI Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israeli forces would take control of the entire Gaza Strip, despite growing global pressure to ease the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the enclave.
Following the launch of a renewed military operation on Friday, the Israeli army issued urgent warnings on Monday to residents of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, instructing them to evacuate to coastal areas in anticipation of what was described as “an unprecedented attack.”
“There is fierce and large-scale combat taking place,” Netanyahu said in a video message. “We will control every part of Gaza... but we must proceed in a way that ensures we are not stopped.” He added that Israel was determined to achieve a “complete victory”, which would entail both the release of the remaining 58 hostages held by Hamas and the elimination of the Palestinian militant organisation.
While military preparations continued, Reuters journalists witnessed aid convoys moving towards northern Gaza. These movements came after Netanyahu, facing severe international criticism over a deepening famine crisis, was forced to permit a limited delivery of humanitarian assistance.
In a candid admission, Netanyahu noted that longstanding supporters of Israel in the US Senate had warned him that televised images of hunger were eroding public backing and risked pushing Israel across a “red line”. “To secure victory, we must address the humanitarian crisis,” he said, in remarks apparently aimed at hardliners within his government who have resisted allowing aid into Gaza for fear it might benefit Hamas.
Despite these developments, Israeli airstrikes continued across Gaza on Monday, killing at least 40 Palestinians, according to local medics. The military claimed it had targeted 160 sites, including anti-tank units, underground facilities, and weapons depots, under the codename “Operation Gideon’s Chariots”.
Among the casualties were seven people killed at a school sheltering displaced families in Nuseirat and three others at a home in nearby Deir al-Balah, as reported by Gaza’s health authorities.
Israel maintains that its objective remains the dismantling of Hamas’ military infrastructure and governance capabilities, along with the repatriation of hostages.
Aid and food supplies
Palestinian outlets reported that 50 aid trucks loaded with flour, cooking oil and legumes were expected to enter Gaza later on Monday. Meanwhile, Israeli media indicated that nine vehicles carrying baby food would also be allowed through in the coming hours.
Military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani confirmed aid deliveries were beginning to resume, though in limited quantities. “Trucks are scheduled to enter today – small amounts, if I’m not mistaken,” he told journalists. “It takes time to create a situation where hundreds of trucks can enter daily – and this is a political decision as well.”
Israel has come under intensifying scrutiny for reimposing its blockade on humanitarian aid in March, just ahead of breaking a two-month truce. Relief agencies have warned repeatedly of the risk of widespread famine affecting the 2.3 million residents of Gaza.
According to Palestinian health authorities, over 500 people have been killed in Israeli strikes in the past eight days alone as military operations have escalated.
Stalemate in ceasefire talks
Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, hosted in Qatar, have so far yielded no progress towards a ceasefire.
Former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who departed Netanyahu’s cabinet last year, condemned the continued presence of Hamas in Gaza as a “resounding failure”, blaming the government for lacking a coherent post-war plan for the territory.
Netanyahu confirmed that ongoing discussions concerned a possible new ceasefire, a hostage exchange, and broader terms to end the conflict. These include the exile of Hamas leaders and the disarmament of Gaza—conditions previously rejected by Hamas.
Senior Hamas figure Sami Abu Zuhri accused Israel of sabotaging the talks and warned that any further intensification of the military campaign would amount to a “death sentence” for the remaining hostages.