Israel's Decision to Take Over Gaza City Met with Resignation and Defiance from Palestinians, Fear and Anger from Israelis

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement on Friday to intensify the 22-month war with Hamas by taking over Gaza City has been met with resignation and defiance by Palestinians who have survived two years of war and repeated raids. Many Israelis have responded with fear and anger, worried it could be a death sentence for the 50 hostages still held in Gaza, and wondering what the new strategy will achieve. The move comes as Israel already controls and has largely destroyed around 75% of the Gaza Strip, with most of its population of two million Palestinians now sheltering in Gaza City, the central city of Deir al-Balah, and the sprawling displacement camps in the Muwasi area along the coast.

Key Takeaways:

• Israel's decision to take over Gaza City is met with resignation and defiance by Palestinians who have survived two years of war and repeated raids.
• Many Israelis respond with fear and anger, worried the move could be a death sentence for the 50 hostages still held in Gaza.
• The long-running talks between Israel and Hamas broke down last month, with relatives of hostages demanding a ceasefire that would include the return of their loved ones.
• Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled Gaza City in the opening weeks of the war, with many returning during a ceasefire earlier this year.
• Israel already controls and has largely destroyed around 75% of the Gaza Strip, with most of its population of two million Palestinians now sheltering in Gaza City, the central city of Deir al-Balah, and the sprawling displacement camps in the Muwasi area along the coast.
• The Gaza Health Ministry reports that over 61,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war, with women and children making up around half of the dead.
• 251 people were abducted in the October 7, 2023, attack that started the war, with 50 still held in Gaza, less than half of them believed by Israel to be alive.
• Relatives of hostages and their supporters have repeatedly protested against the continuation of the war, demanding a ceasefire that would include the return of their loved ones.
• Other Israelis voiced support for the decision, saying "They need to go after Hamas," and questioning why the militant group had not returned the hostages or laid down its arms.

Statistics:

• 61,000 Palestinians reported killed in the war, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
• Women and children make up around half of the dead.
• 251 people abducted in the October 7, 2023, attack that started the war.
• 50 hostages still held in Gaza, with less than half of them believed by Israel to be alive.
• 75% of the Gaza Strip controlled and largely destroyed by Israel.
• Two million Palestinians sheltering in Gaza City, the central city of Deir al-Balah, and the sprawling displacement camps in the Muwasi area along the coast.

Sources:

• Associated Press (AP)
• Gaza Health Ministry
• Hamas-run government
• United Nations
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement to Fox News
• Interview with Ruby Chen, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen and mother of a hostage
• Interview with Yehuda Cohen, a father of a hostage
• Interview with Susan Makin, a Tel Aviv resident