Gaza City: Tensions in the Middle East deepened on Wednesday as Israel’s Defense Minister declared that those who have not evacuated Gaza City would be treated as “terrorists,” a statement that underscores a hardening of Israeli military policy. The announcement came amid growing signs that Hamas may turn down a peace proposal floated by U.S. President Donald Trump, leaving the conflict at a dangerous impasse.
According to Israeli officials, the country’s armed forces have successfully surrounded Gaza, effectively cutting the enclave into northern and southern sections. The strategic seizure of the Netsarim corridor, a key route that links Gaza’s heartland to its southern territories, was hailed by the defense establishment as a decisive move to weaken Hamas’s command structure. Military spokesmen said that this corridor now functions as a choke point, preventing the free movement of fighters and supplies.
The most controversial part of the defense minister’s address was his stark warning to civilians. Those who have remained inside Gaza City, despite repeated evacuation calls, are now being “regarded as terrorists.” Rights groups and humanitarian agencies have sharply criticized the statement, saying it blurs the line between civilian populations and armed combatants, raising grave concerns about collective punishment.
Parallel to Israel’s intensifying military campaign, diplomatic efforts appear to be faltering. Hamas leaders are signaling an imminent rejection of the peace blueprint presented by the Trump administration. The plan, which calls for a phased cessation of hostilities and conditional aid inflows, is viewed by Hamas as heavily biased toward Israeli security concerns. Observers warn that outright rejection could trigger further escalation, eroding any remaining hopes for dialogue.
Compounding the crisis, Israeli naval forces intercepted vessels attempting to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Among those detained was Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, a development that has sparked uproar across Europe. Protests have erupted in cities including Athens, Rome, and Brussels, where demonstrators accused Israel of criminalizing humanitarian solidarity.
With Gaza under siege, diplomatic channels collapsing, and international protests mounting, the situation is entering an even more volatile stage. Analysts say that if Hamas formally rejects the peace plan, Israel is likely to accelerate military operations, further isolating Gaza City and choking off vital aid routes.
The coming days will be decisive: whether diplomacy finds a fragile footing, or whether the region plunges deeper into conflict depends on how both sides navigate the narrowing space for negotiation.