The Israeli military has announced that they will thoroughly search every part of Gaza City, which they have surrounded. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has stated that Israel may occupy Gaza until a replacement for Hamas can be found. In an interview with ABC News, Netanyahu expressed his belief that Israel will have overall security responsibility for an indefinite period, as they have witnessed the consequences of not having it.
However, President Biden has warned that an occupation could be a mistake. He believes that it would be challenging for Israel to take over Gaza, defeat Hamas, and establish partnerships with local Palestinians, which could potentially take years and result in a prolonged and violent insurgency similar to what happened in Iraq. Many Palestinians fear that Israel’s goal is to expel them from their homes permanently. Additionally, controlling an area that is constantly targeted by Israeli airstrikes poses significant difficulties.
This was observed by our crew, who followed a rescue team in southern Gaza where Palestinians sought safety, and witnessed the destruction caused by Israeli airstrikes. Among those trapped in the rubble is a three-year-old girl named Amal Yael, who was kidnapped by Hamas along with her family.
The situation is heartbreaking for her uncle, Yuval, who is uncertain about her well-being, including whether she has access to food and water and if she is with her mother. Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, memorials will be held for the 1,400 Israelis killed one month ago, and in support of the 240 hostages still held by Hamas. These attacks are often compared to Israel’s version of 9/11. Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to catch the Today Show on our streaming channel today all day..
