During a press conference reported by Iran’s IRNA news agency on Monday, criticism was directed at Israel’s announcement to evacuate the city of Gaza and forcefully displace nearly a million people to the southern part of the sector, amidst severe shortages of food and medicine for Gaza residents. It was pointed out that Israel is not only attacking Gaza and the West Bank but also revealing expansionist ambitions that include territories in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and part of Saudi Arabia, warning that continuing these policies will drag the region into ‘endless wars’ if not curbed.
In the same context, Baqaei commented on internal protests in Israel against the Prime Minister’s policies, considering them to reflect a ‘deep crisis’ suffered by the ‘Zionist entity.’ He added that the leaders’ insistence on continuing the war and their expansionist tendencies have angered regional countries and the international community. He stressed that ‘these developments confirm that the occupation poses an existential threat to the stability of the entire region.’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had called on Sunday for ‘those calling to end the war without decisively defeating Hamas to ensure that October 7th does not repeat.’ He added, ‘Hamas demands the withdrawal of our forces from all of Gaza, which will allow them to regroup,’ continuing, ‘We targeted sites in Yemen, Gaza, and Lebanon today.’
The Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported on Sunday morning that ‘wide categories of Israeli citizens are striking, demonstrating, and blocking main roads in many areas of the country.’ The activities began early on Sunday morning in the ‘Detainees’ Square’ and were followed by a general strike where dozens of local authorities and trade unions allowed their employees to participate in the demonstrations. Protests and gatherings were held in front of the homes of several ministers, including Israeli National Security Minister Yisrael Katz and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, demanding the release of Israeli prisoners and hostages held in Gaza.
This coincides with the Israeli military’s announcement last Saturday of the beginning of the ‘transfer operation’ of Palestinians from Gaza to the southern sector, where the Israeli army spokesman, Avichay Adraee, issued a military statement saying that ‘starting Sunday, preparations will begin to transfer the sector’s residents.’ Since October 7, 2023, until August 11, the war on Gaza has resulted in the deaths of more than 61,000 Palestinians and about 154,000 injuries, according to Palestinian Ministry of Health data. Military operations continue, and recently, a plan to fully occupy the sector was approved, with officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, continuing to speak of claims of ‘Greater Israel,’ a term that involves occupying the remaining Palestinian territories in addition to other Arab lands.
