An apocalyptic end to any hope that is left for peace

The conditions that families in Gaza are being forced to endure are beyond what any of us could imagine in our worst nightmares, and the world has greeted that unprecedented suffering with a shrug.

- BEL TREW

Famine is stalking the population after Israel decided two months ago not to allow any aid into the besieged, blasted Strip, which is just 26 miles long and home to 2.3 million people. Now, that bloody reality is only going to become more apocalyptic if Israel goes ahead with plans to dramatically expand its operations, as Israeli officials said yesterday.

Security cabinet minister Zeev Elkin told Israeli public broadcaster Kan that the plan (which many warned was always the goal) is to move from raid-based operations to occupation and sustained Israeli presence in Gaza – territories they will hold until Hamas is defeated or agrees to disarm and leave.

Israeli officials also said that the newly approved offensive plan would move Gaza’s civilian population southward. This can only result in yet more unimaginable suffering for civilians in the Strip, who have had to endure 19 months of intense bombardment and slaughter, mass and repeated displacement, and starvation.