Israeli PM declares 'war of independence' amid humanitarian disaster in Gaza

In a press conference in Tel Aviv (Israel) and broadcast on television late on October 28, Prime Minister Netanyahu warned the Israeli people of a "long and difficult" campaign.

"This is phase two of the war with a very clear objective: to destroy Hamas's administrative and military capabilities and to bring the hostages home... We will destroy the enemy on the ground and on the ground," Reuters quoted Mr. Netanyahu as telling reporters.

According to The Guardian , Mr Netanyahu described the expanding offensive as Israel's "second war of independence". "We have killed many terrorists. However, we are only at the beginning. The war in the Gaza Strip will be difficult and long. This is our second war of independence," he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a press conference in Tel Aviv on October 28.

Israel has tightened its blockade and bombarded Gaza for three weeks since Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that governs Gaza, launched a surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7. Israeli authorities said at least 1,400 Israelis were killed in the bloodiest day in the country’s 75-year history. But Israel’s retaliation against Hamas has so far killed at least 7,650 civilians in Gaza, according to health officials in the territory.

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After the fiercest air strikes of the war so far, which saw up to 100 Israeli aircraft attack targets throughout the night of October 27 and into the morning of October 28, Israeli armor and infantry entered Gaza under cover of darkness and were still fighting there as of early October 29.

Before Netanyahu's speech, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) leader Herzi Halevi both signaled that the war with Hamas was entering a new phase, despite calls for a truce or temporary ceasefire.

"There is no achievement without risk, and as we know, there is no victory without sacrifice. To detect and destroy the enemy, there is no other way but to forcefully enter their territory. This operation serves all the goals of the war," Mr. Halevi declared.

Humanitarian disaster, hostage worries

President Mahmoud Abbas, head of the Palestinian Authority that governs the West Bank (another Palestinian-dominated area), continued to condemn Israel. "Our people in the Gaza Strip are facing a genocide and massacre by the Israeli occupation forces in full view of the whole world," The Guardian quoted the leader as saying.

Desolation in Gaza City on October 28

With many buildings reduced to rubble and shelters hard to come by, Gazans are running low on food, water, fuel and medicine. Their plight has worsened since the evening of 27 October when phone and internet services were cut off – followed by heavy Israeli bombardment overnight. The communications blackout persisted into early 29 October.

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“A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding before our eyes,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on October 28, according to Reuters. Diplomats said the UN Security Council plans to convene a meeting on October 30 to discuss the situation.

Egypt's Foreign Ministry said on October 28 that "Israeli barriers", including truck inspection procedures, were hindering the timely delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the isolated territory.

"Trucks have to be inspected at Israel's Nitzana border crossing before they head towards the Rafah border crossing, making a 100-kilometer journey to actually enter the Rafah border crossing. This causes obstacles that significantly delay the delivery of aid," an Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman said in a statement.

The Rafah crossing, which is controlled by Egypt and does not border Israel, has become a major aid conduit since Israel blockaded Gaza in retaliation for Hamas’ offensive. Before the conflict, about 500 trucks passed through the crossing into Gaza each day, but in recent days, it has averaged just 12 trucks a day.

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The latest Israeli statements have heightened concerns about the fate of more than 200 hostages taken to Gaza by Hamas on October 7. A Reuters source said that hostage rescue talks between Israel and Hamas, brokered by Qatar, were continuing but at a much slower pace than before the escalation in Gaza on October 27.

Prime Minister Netanyahu said on October 28 that efforts to rescue the hostages would continue even if Israel launched a ground offensive in Gaza. "We will take advantage and use every opportunity to bring them home," Netanyahu said.

Earlier, Hamas' armed wing said it was close to reaching an agreement with Israel on the hostage issue, but Israel delayed the deal.

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