Sanaa – SABA :
From Iron Swords and Judgment Day to Generals’ Plan and Gideon’s Chariots, and now the newly launched operation “Upright Lion”, Israel continues its unrelenting campaign of genocide, starvation, and destruction in the Gaza Strip. Each military phase signals a new chapter in Israel’s ongoing assault on Palestinian civilians.
The Israeli military believes it is asserting dominance through “Upright Lion” after the previous “Gideon’s Chariots” operation brought death, destruction, and displacement to Gaza. That operation ended with no clear objectives met, only to be followed by a new wave of violence. As usual, Israel conceals the true goals of its campaigns, targeting innocent civilians—including women, children, and the elderly—while resistance operations, such as the recent Khan Younis ambush by Al-Qassam Brigades, continue to deal damaging blows to Israeli forces.
These actions come as talks of a potential ceasefire deal circulate. However, the launch of this new operation raises doubts about Israel’s intentions—whether it’s genuine in seeking peace, or simply using military pressure to force concessions from Hamas at the negotiation table.
According to Reuters, the first round of indirect ceasefire negotiations in Doha between Israel and Hamas ended Monday without progress, due to what Palestinian sources described as Israel’s lack of a sufficient negotiating mandate. The talks precede Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to Washington, his third since Donald Trump’s return to office.
Speaking from New Jersey, Trump claimed, “There’s a good chance we’ll get a deal with Hamas this week,” suggesting the negotiations are “on track.” But Israeli sources contradicted that, describing the deal as “still far from complete,” despite Hamas’s initial approval of a Qatari proposal that includes:
- A 60-day ceasefire
- Release of 10 live Israeli hostages and 18 bodies
- Partial Israeli military withdrawal to a buffer zone on the Gaza border
- Increased flow of humanitarian aid
Meanwhile, the outcome of “Gideon’s Chariots”, which lasted nearly two months, was more bloodshed than military success. Israel failed to achieve the stated goal of evacuating Gaza residents from combat zones. Instead, the resistance’s counterattacks exposed Israel’s vulnerability, while the occupation army razed countless buildings, expanded the so-called buffer zone, and killed scores of civilians—especially those seeking aid and shelter.
To pave the way for “Upright Lion,” Israel redeployed its 98th Division and Nahal Brigade, supported by airstrikes and special forces. Over recent days, Israeli forces intensified attacks on civilians, killing over 100 people in a single night—mostly from targeted strikes on displacement camps and shelters.
The Government Media Office in Gaza reported on Monday that Israel committed 59 massacres in just 100 hours, killing 288 civilians, including 99 aid-seekers. These individuals were gunned down near so-called “American-Israeli aid centers”, now dubbed “death traps”, where thousands gather daily in desperation for food amid total blockade and starvation policies imposed on Gaza’s 2.4 million residents.
The report detailed Israel’s systematic targeting of:
- Crowded shelters and displacement camps
- Public rest areas
- Families in their homes
- Markets and public gatherings
- Civilians seeking food
- Clinics and health centers
- Alleged “safe zones” like Al-Mawasi
- Aid recipients near the so-called “death trap” centers
According to the office, the majority of victims were women, children, and the elderly—unarmed civilians, highlighting Israel’s deliberate targeting of the most vulnerable.
In the 48 hours prior, Israeli forces committed 26 additional massacres, killing over 300 Palestinians and injuring hundreds more. These attacks further confirm the use of collective punishment, ethnic cleansing, and deliberate extermination tactics.
Daily, Israeli strikes target aid lines and waiting civilians, transforming every food distribution site into a kill zone. Despite the scale and visibility of these crimes, they continue under U.S. and European protection, without accountability.
As of Tuesday, July 8, the ongoing Israeli assault has killed 57,575 Palestinians and injured 136,879 since October 7, 2023.
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