Description: Israel has intensified aerial attacks on several locations surrounding Gaza City as the planned complete occupation of Gaza is set to move forwards. According to a report released by the UN – backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification organization, around half a million people in Gaza are already suffering Phase 5 levels of famine, the highest classification of humanitarian disaster by the UN. The Israeli COGAT (Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories) military body has denounced the report claiming it was based on information obtained from Hamas related and governed institutions in the enclave. Egyptian and Qatari mediators have pushed for a ceasefire agreement previously accepted by Hamas, however, Israel’s government has continued with plans of intensifying its military operation in the Gaza City, renouncing warnings from the international community and pressure from the country’s population which has continuously protested the continuation of military operations.
Impact: Israel continues to ignore the efforts made from the mediators and continues to resist international and domestic pressure unilaterally going forward with the military operation to fully occupy Gaza. Currently there are no indications of any potential diplomatic traction surrounding the ceasefire agreement which indicates that Israel would continue its military cooperation, expanding the disastrous conditions in Gaza and forcing the further internal displacement of over two million people. Hamas is unlikely to succumb to further concessions after having accepted the latest ceasefire proposal and would most likely continue to confront the Israeli military through guerilla attacks as its capacities for warfare have been tremendously depleted in the past two years. Under the current conditions, no breakthroughs are expected on the ceasefire initiative which signals the continuation of the famine crisis, forceful displacement and military operations in Gaza, further devastating the nonexistent humanitarian conditions in the enclave for the civilian population.