An expert has raised concerns that Israel is rejecting the possibility of a two-state solution following the commencement of a new military offensive in Gaza, despite disregarding appeals from global leaders.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the IDF to launch a ground operation targeting Gaza City, intensifying the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Palestinian territory, which has already suffered significant damage.
Residents in Gaza City reported heavy bombardments throughout the area on Tuesday morning, with remaining individuals being urged to evacuate southward.
This recent development marks a further escalation in a conflict that has destabilized the Middle East, with hopes of a ceasefire diminishing despite prolonged diplomatic endeavors.
The UN General Assembly recently voted in favor of a two-state resolution for the Israel-Palestine conflict, calling on Israel to endorse a Palestinian state.
Several countries, including France, the UK, Canada, Australia, and Malta, have pledged to formalize their support for the two-state solution at the upcoming UN General Assembly meeting. Others like New Zealand, Finland, and Portugal are contemplating similar actions.
Shortly after independent UN-appointed experts labeled Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocidal,” Professor Natasha Lindstaedt from the University of Essex expressed her belief that Netanyahu is closing the door on a two-state solution with the military expansion in Gaza City.
In an exclusive interview with The Mirror, Lindstaedt remarked that Netanyahu’s administration has abandoned the idea of an independent Palestinian state and is pushing for a military resolution to eliminate Hamas.
There are apprehensions that Israel might engage in a campaign of genocide or ethnic cleansing in its efforts to eradicate Hamas, prompting condemnation from Qatar and other Arab leaders following an attack on Hamas in Doha.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has traveled to Qatar to mediate and address the escalating situation, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.
The ongoing conflict indicates Israel’s intentions to assert control, with a significant number of IDF divisions and over 130,000 reservists involved in the invasion.
The IDF reported that a large portion of Gaza City’s population has evacuated, but Hamas is allegedly impeding further evacuations, leading to disagreements within the Israeli leadership on how to proceed with the invasion.
The situation remains uncertain as both Doha and Washington face challenges in halting the conflict, with Netanyahu reportedly having full support from former President Trump to escalate military action.