2025-05-17T12:12:15Z

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In a gathering that highlighted the urgent need for peace, Arab leaders convened at a summit in Baghdad on Saturday, where they called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Gaza. The representatives did not hold back in their accusations against Israel, asserting that the nation was executing a systematic campaign to forcibly drive Palestinians out of the enclave. This call comes as Israel escalates its military operations against Hamas, intensifying airstrikes that have already resulted in significant casualties.

According to reports from the Israeli army, they have embarked upon what they describe as the “initial stages” of a new offensive, signaling a broader and more aggressive strategy aimed at achieving the war’s objectives—not only to secure the release of hostages but also to dismantle Hamas. The military operations reportedly include extensive aerial bombardments as well as the mobilization of ground forces aimed at gaining control of critical areas within the Gaza Strip.

Israel’s Defense Minister has confirmed that this operation, dubbed Operation Gideon Chariots, is being conducted with “great force” by the nation’s military. The timing of this announcement follows a particularly brutal period marked by numerous airstrikes across Gaza, which, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, have resulted in the deaths of hundreds, with a significant number being civilians, including women and children.

Adding to the gravity of the situation, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi characterized the Israeli military actions as “systematic crimes” designed to obliterate and annihilate the Palestinian population, suggesting that these actions threaten to extinguish their existence within Gaza. Furthermore, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who hosted the summit, described Israel's actions in stark terms, labeling them as genocide.

Addressing the summit, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the international community's responsibility to protect civilians, asserting that “nothing justifies the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.” His remarks underline the urgent call for intervention from global leaders amid concerns about the humanitarian crisis unfolding as a result of the ongoing conflict.

In a related escalation, Israel executed a series of airstrikes on Friday that local health officials reported resulted in the deaths of at least 108 individuals, predominantly women and children. Israeli officials have portrayed these strikes as a necessary prelude to escalating military pressure on Hamas to facilitate the release of hostages.

Additionally, Israel targeted two ports in Yemen, claiming that these locations were being utilized by the Houthi militant group for arms transfer operations. Reports from local health officials indicated that at least one person was killed and nine others injured as a result of these strikes.

The surge in military activity in Gaza follows a series of attacks that have reportedly resulted in over 130 fatalities, although distinctions between civilians and combatants are not made in the claims from Gaza’s Health Ministry. This uptick in violence occurs as U.S. President Donald Trump concluded a visit to the Middle East, which, notably, included stops in three Gulf states but excluded Israel itself. Many had hoped that Trump’s trip would pave the way for a ceasefire or a resumption of humanitarian aid to the beleaguered region of Gaza, where such aid has been severely restricted for over two months. Furthermore, the Trump administration continues to engage in complex negotiations regarding a nuclear deal with Iran, a nation that provides support to several militant groups opposed to Israel, including Hamas and the Houthis.