Gaza city, May 7 , 2025
Israel has escalated its military campaign in Gaza, pivoting from a “clear and leave” approach to a “clear and hold” strategy that risks entrenching long-term occupation, according to defense analysts. The shift comes amid intensified airstrikes and a near-total blockade on aid, deepening one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern history and igniting fierce international backlash.
“This is not a temporary measure. ‘Clear and hold’ implies a deliberate effort to reoccupy Gaza, which will only prolong the cycle of violence,” said a former UN peacekeeping official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Humanitarian Catastrophe and Blockade
The UN has condemned Israel’s nine-week blockade on food deliveries, with famine conditions now reported across northern Gaza. Over 52,567 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, while thousands remain trapped under rubble. The World Food Programme (WFP) warned that “starvation is being weaponized,” citing Israel’s repeated denial of aid convoy access.
In Rafah, displaced families described scavenging for scraps. “We eat grass and drink polluted water. Children are dying silently,” said Um Ahmed, a mother of four. Medical workers report a surge in malnutrition-related deaths, particularly among infants.
Diplomatic Firestorm
Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh accused Israel of “genocidal aggression” during an emergency Arab League summit, demanding immediate international intervention. Meanwhile, Finland signaled it may soon recognize Palestinian statehood, joining Norway, Ireland, and Spain in a growing European push for sovereignty.
The move has drawn sharp rebuke from Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling it a “reward for terrorism.” U.S. officials, while critical of Israel’s blockade, reiterated opposition to unilateral recognition, urging a return to negotiations.
UK-Israel Intelligence Sharing Scandal
A brewing controversy in the UK has further strained Western alliances. Legal experts revealed that British authorities allegedly shared police and prosecution details with the Israeli embassy during investigations into Palestine Action activists, who face charges for protests targeting Israeli-linked facilities. Critics allege political interference, with Human Rights Watch calling it a “dangerous precedent for suppressing dissent.”
Path Forward?
All eyes now turn to the UN’s high-level conference on the two-state solution, set for June 2–4. However, hopes for progress remain dim as Israel dismisses the initiative as “detached from reality.” With Gaza’s infrastructure decimated and regional tensions soaring, analysts fear the conflict could metastasize into a broader regional crisis.
“The world is witnessing a moral collapse,” said Jan Egeland, Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council. “Without urgent action, Gaza will become a graveyard—not just of lives, but of any hope for peace.”
