Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hints at intensifying military operations in Gaza have ignited fierce backlash from former Israeli military and intelligence leaders, who are urging an end to the nearly two-year-long conflict. As Gaza’s Health Ministry reports over 61,000 Palestinian deaths, the war’s toll deepens, with desperate crowds facing deadly risks at aid distribution points. On Tuesday, Israeli forces allegedly fired on Palestinians seeking food, killing at least 45, including 26 in the Morag Corridor, a military zone where UN aid convoys were looted.
Former heads of Shin Bet, Mossad, and the military, alongside ex-Prime Minister Ehud Barak, publicly criticized Netanyahu’s strategy, calling his goals—defeating Hamas, freeing 50 remaining hostages, and ensuring Gaza poses no future threat—“a fantasy.” Yoram Cohen, former Shin Bet chief, argued that eliminating every threat while securing hostages is unfeasible. Reports suggest Netanyahu is clashing with army chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir over plans to fully conquer Gaza, a move that could worsen the humanitarian crisis and isolate Israel globally.
The Israeli defense body COGAT announced a deal with local merchants to bolster aid deliveries, but aid groups warn Israel’s blockade and offensive continue to choke supplies, pushing Gaza toward famine. Witnesses describe chaotic scenes as starving residents, like Mohammed Qassas from Khan Younis, risk their lives storming aid trucks. “If we don’t fight, we don’t eat,” Qassas said, highlighting the desperation driving families to confront gunfire for food.
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Hospitals like Nasser and Al-Awda reported receiving bodies of those killed near aid sites, with the Health Ministry noting that roughly half of the war’s casualties are women and children. The UN deems these figures reliable despite the ministry’s ties to Hamas. Meanwhile, Israel denies targeting civilians, claiming it fires warning shots to deter crowds. Since May, hundreds of Palestinians have reportedly been killed seeking aid, with airdrops proving insufficient and dangerous.
Families of hostages fear for their loved ones’ survival amid the chaos, blaming Hamas for prolonging the crisis. At Nasser Hospital, grieving mother Ekram Nasr recounted collecting her son’s remains after he was shot seeking aid. “The world watches our suffering but does nothing,” she said.
As international concern grows, the UN and aid groups call for more robust aid channels, warning that current measures fall short. Netanyahu’s Security Cabinet met to plan the war’s next phase but adjourned without clear decisions, leaving Gaza’s future—and Israel’s—hanging in the balance.
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