The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has been steadily escalating since it began three days ago. In a recent development, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz has announced his intention to implement a full siege of the Gaza Strip. The move comes as Israeli security forces continue to comb the region for rocket launchers and operatives of Hamas, who are currently launching barrages of rockets into Israel.
The siege of Gaza, which is effectively an extension of the long-standing blockade of the region, is intended to limit the ability of Hamas to launch these rockets and other weapons into Israeli territory. In addition, the siege could also pose a challenge for Hamas’s ability to provide its citizens basic necessities such as food and medical supplies.
The decision by Gantz is part of a larger operation by the Israeli military to thoroughly search the Gaza Strip for weapons used by Hamas. As part of this effort, ground troops are being employed to locate rocket launchers and other weapons caches, while air support is being used to pummel the area with airstrikes.
The combination of the siege and military action is likely to cause heightened despair in Gaza. The region has already been subject to stringent measures, including a partial power blackout, and many of its citizens are already living in dire economic conditions.
Though the siege may deter the Hamas-led rocket attacks, it could also result in further violence and unrest in the region. This could potentially lead to further casualties, and make the already tense situation in the Middle East even more volatile.
At this point, it is unclear how long the siege of Gaza will last, but at least for the time being, Israel’s position is clear: As long as Hamas is launching rockets, the region will remain heavily policed and under the strictest of control.