Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday visited Israeli forces in the northern Gaza Strip marking his first visit since the start of the genocide, which still continues as more than 14,000 Palestinians, majority of them children and women have lost lives.
The Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has soared to 14,854 since October 7, the government media office in the blockaded enclave said on Thursday. About 7,000 people remain unaccounted for, including more than 4,700 children, the media office said.
In a video released by his office, Netanyahu expressed the government’s commitment to “returning hostages and outlined three main goals” for the war: “Eliminating Hamas, securing the release of all hostages, and preventing Gaza from posing a future threat to Israel.”
Netanyahu affirmed determination to continue the efforts until victory, stating that the nation possesses the strength and will to achieve the war’s objectives.
“We will continue until the end, until victory. Nothing will stop us,” he said the video message.
During the visit, the Prime Minister claimed to be exploring one of the “Hamas tunnels” uncovered by Israeli forces.
Accompanying him were his chief of staff Tzachi Braverman, National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, military secretary Maj. Gen. Avi Gil, and deputy IDF chief of staff, Maj. Gen. Amir Baram.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been marked by longstanding human rights abuses, with critics asserting that Israel has been involved in occupational crimes in Gaza for decades, impacting civilians, including children and women.
Accusations range from the use of excessive force and targeted assassinations to the blockade of Gaza, limiting access to essential services and exacerbating humanitarian concerns. Critics argue that the situation has led to a disproportionate number of civilian casualties, including women and children, during military operations.
Reports have highlighted the impact of military operations, such as the bombardment of civilian infrastructure, schools, and hospitals, raising concerns about the violation of international humanitarian law. The blockade has been a focal point of criticism, as it restricts the movement of people and goods, contributing to the economic hardship and deterioration of living conditions in Gaza.
These allegations have sparked international debate and calls for investigations into possible war crimes. The complexity of the situation and the deeply entrenched historical and political context make it challenging to find a comprehensive resolution.
Nonetheless, discussions surrounding the need for accountability and a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continue on both regional and global platforms.
