IDF launches ground offensive against Gaza City as hostage families protest
Israel's Hostages and Missing Families Forum has set up a permanent encampment outside PM Netanyahu's Jerusalem residence, urging an end to the war and release of all hostages
The IDF has begun a long-planned ground offensive to capture Gaza City after days of airstrikes, with families of the remaining hostages in the Strip responding by establishing a permanent encampment outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Jerusalem residence to urge for “the immediate return of the hostages and the end of the war.”
The Israeli military confirmed today that “IDF troops have begun expanding ground operations in Gaza City as part of Operation Gideon’s Chariots II In the past day, IDF activity in Gaza City has begun according to the operational plan, and is expected to expand in line with the current situational assessment.”
The ground offensive follows days of airstrikes against what the IDF has described as “terror targets” in the city. At a situational assessment today, the IDF Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, described “the manoeuvre in Gaza City” as “a significant step to carry out our highest moral and important duty — to return all the hostages home and to dismantle the military and governing capabilities of the Hamas terrorist organisation.”
However, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Israel described the situation as a “state of emergency”, and cited a statement attributed by some Israeli media outlets to be the private sentiments of General Zamir, that to move forward with such an offensive would mean that “the hostages are in immediate mortal danger and the deceased are at risk of disappearing forever.”
The organisation said: “Following reports of tank incursions and massive bombardments in Gaza City, hostage families gathered outside the Prime Minister’s residence on Gaza Street in Jerusalem, crying out for the rescue of all 48 hostages.
“A permanent encampment was established outside the residence, where hostage families and the public will remain until Netanyahu listens and implements the people’s will – the immediate return of all hostages and an end to the war.”
The group said that daily demonstrations would be held at 7:30 in the evening and urged people to “”Come stand with us outside the Prime Minister’s residence. The writing is on the wall! We cannot let the hostages and soldiers be sacrificed!”
In a video released by hostage family members, a spokesperson says: “The Prime Minister has decided to send IDF soldiers to areas where our loved ones are located, who might be harmed and not returned alive.
“He is doing everything to ensure there is no deal and not to bring them back. We are approaching the holidays, and we are terrified that this might be their last night, that the living hostages will pay with their lives, that the deceased will disappear there.
“We are no longer willing to accept this. We came here this evening and we are not moving from here…I am calling on you, come join us, be here with us.”
There have already been reports of some casualties in Gaza City as the IDF moves forward. In a typically trenchant style, Defence Minister Israel Katz wrote on social media that “Gaza is burning. The IDF strikes with an iron fist at terror infrastructure, and IDF soldiers fight bravely to create the conditions for the release of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas. We will not relent or turn back – until the mission is complete.”
By contrast, Netanyahu stressed the efforts Israel was making to ensure the safety of civilians in Gaza. In a video released by his office, the Israeli Prime Minister said:
“Our forces are operating in Gaza City with the aim, of course, of achieving the defeat of the enemy, while also working to evacuate the civilian population.
“We are currently making efforts to open additional routes to enable a faster evacuation of the Gazan population, to separate them from the terrorists whom we aim to strike.”
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