Israel Approves New Military Plan for Gaza Occupation

Israel has approved a new military strategy called Merkavot Gideon, which aims to intensify its invasion and occupation of Gaza, entrenching long-term control and enforcing mass displacement of Palestinians. The plan, unanimously approved by Israel’s far-right security cabinet, is described by Israeli officials as a comprehensive offensive involving air, land, and sea operations, with troops remaining in seized areas to establish a fortified buffer zone, signaling a move toward permanent annexation. This comes amid over 52,600 deaths and widespread devastation in Gaza, with Israeli leaders openly acknowledging the intent to maintain occupation. Meanwhile, tensions in the Mediterranean are escalating, highlighted by an attack on a Freedom Flotilla vessel near Malta, suspected to be linked to Israeli military actions, underscoring Israel’s strategic interests in the region and ongoing maritime security concerns. The broader conflict and occupation have elicited strong critiques, emphasizing the human toll on Palestinians and the silence or complicity of various actors internationally, as well as reflections on the enduring nature of the violence tied to dehumanization and political agendas. These developments occur against a backdrop of historical U.S. support for Israel’s establishment and complex geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East and Mediterranean.