Israel Continues To Pound Gaza, Eyes Golan Heights Expansion Of Israeli Settlements.

In an unrelenting military offensive, Israeli forces have intensified airstrikes on Gaza, killing at least 10 people in Gaza City while deepening the humanitarian crisis at the Kamal Adwan Hospital.

Power generators at the hospital have been knocked out, further plunging the besieged healthcare system into chaos in Gaza. World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the conditions as “appalling” and made an impassioned plea to “stop this hell.”

A Budget for War

Meanwhile, Israel’s far-right Finance Minister celebrated the narrow adoption of the 2025 budget in the Knesset, passed with 59 votes in favor and 57 against.

The minister hailed the budget as one that “meets all the needs of the war on the front and in the rear until victory,” ensuring the military establishment is fully equipped to sustain its operations.

The budget allocates substantial resources to the Israeli army, reaffirming Israel’s strategic focus on national security and defense resilience amid regional instability.

Expansion in Syria’s Golan Heights

Israel’s plans to double the settler population in Syria’s occupied Golan Heights have sparked strong international condemnation.
The Golan, occupied by Israel since the 1967 Six-Day War and unilaterally annexed in 1981, remains a disputed territory under international law. Despite widespread global rejection of its sovereignty claims, Israel is now advancing a new $11 million plan to bolster settlements.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the move, stating, “Strengthening the Golan is strengthening the State of Israel, and it is especially important at this time. We will continue to hold onto it, cause it to blossom, and settle in it.”

Global Condemnation

The international community swiftly denounced the settlement expansion:

—Qatar rebuked it as a “new episode in a series of Israeli aggressions on Syrian territories.”

—Jordan called it a “blatant violation of international law.”

—Turkey accused Israel of attempting to “expand its borders.”

—Saudi Arabia condemned the move, stating it sabotages “Syria’s chances of restoring its security and stability.”

—Egypt labeled it a “flagrant violation of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

—Germany, a key Israeli ally, reaffirmed that under international law, “this area controlled by Israel belongs to Syria.”

Israel’s actions come as shifting dynamics in Syria, where opposition forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), ousted former President Bashar al-Assad on December 8. The political vacuum has reignited regional power struggles, with Israel seizing the opportunity to advance its territorial ambitions.

Syria’s Crisis. A Country Under Siege

The ouster of al-Assad marks a critical turning point in Syria’s 12-year conflict, which began in 2011 as a peaceful uprising but spiraled into a devastating civil war.

Hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost, and millions displaced. With opposition forces now in control, the new Syrian authorities have signaled no immediate interest in confrontation with Israel, focusing instead on consolidating power.

Nevertheless, Israel has escalated military strikes on Syrian military and research facilities, maintaining a long-standing strategy to disrupt perceived threats from Syrian soil. These attacks, combined with settlement expansion, underscore Israel’s intent to entrench its presence in the region.

US and EU Maneuvering in Syria

Meanwhile, the United States has launched fresh airstrikes in Syria, targeting ISIS operatives and leaders. The US military described the operation as essential to “disrupt, degrade, and defeat ISIS,” ensuring the terrorist group does not regroup or pose external threats.

Simultaneously, the European Union has intensified diplomatic engagement with Syria’s new leadership. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced plans for a fundraising conference to support Syria’s political transition while asserting that Iran and Russia “should have no place in Syria’s future.”

Russia’s role remains a contentious issue. As a key backer of al-Assad, Russia maintains military bases in Syria, whose status remains uncertain amid shifting alliances.

Israel’s Broader Settlement Agenda

The developments in the Golan reflect a broader pattern of Israeli settlement expansion across occupied territories.

As of January 2023, over 450,000 Israeli settlers reside in the West Bank (excluding East Jerusalem), with an additional 220,000 settlers in East Jerusalem and 25,000 settlers in the Golan Heights. The West Bank alone hosts 196 unauthorized outposts, further complicating prospects for peace.

A Fragile Region on the Brink

Israel’s military operations in Gaza, its plans for the Golan Heights, and the ongoing Syrian conflict demonstrates the fragility of the Middle East. With mounting international criticism, regional alliances shifting, and humanitarian crises deepening, the specter of prolonged instability still haunts.

As global leaders call for restraint and adherence to international law – can the region pull back from the brink, or will entrenched conflicts and territorial ambitions drive it deeper into chaos? And more importantly when will it be enough for Benjamin Netanyahu?