International criticism mounts over Israel's planned Gaza offensive
Palestinians check the devastation following an Israeli strike that hit Gaza City's southern al-Zeitoun neighbourhood on 8 August (AFP or licensors)
By Nathan Morley
Israel's proposed expansion of its military operations in Gaza has drawn sharp criticism from international leaders, military officials, and families of hostages still held by Hamas.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan, approved during a 10-hour security cabinet meeting, includes a full takeover of Gaza City.
While the official statement from his office avoided the term 'occupation,' analysts say the move would effectively place the entire Gaza Strip under Israeli control.
The timeline for the operation remains unclear.
Military officials have warned that the campaign could take months and would require the mobilization of thousands of reservists, many of whom have already served multiple tours.
The plan also involves the evacuation of residents from Gaza City, home to an estimated 800,000 Palestinians.
International reaction has been swift. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a halt to arms exports to Israel that could be used in Gaza.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the decision 'wrong.'
Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said the move would 'not help to get the hostages home,' while China's foreign ministry reiterated that 'Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people' and called for an immediate ceasefire.
Denmark also urged Israel to reverse its decision.
The proposed offensive comes amid growing concerns that further escalation will deepen the humanitarian crisis and isolate Israel diplomatically.--Vatican News
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Sinar Daily
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As Thailand edges closer to ending the decades-long reign of the Shinawatra political dynasty, Malaysians watching from across the border cannot help but wonder, are we next? Or are we still stuck in our own political loop of family ties, friendly foes and familiar faces? Picture this: you are 38, the youngest ever Prime Minister (PM) of Thailand and only the second woman to hold the post. Your family is wildly influential and wildly controversial. Your dad was once the PM and once owned Manchester City. Your aunt was PM too and now it is your turn. You are not exactly hurting financially either. You and your husband declared a jaw-dropping US$650 million in assets, including luxury homes across the globe and a collection of handbags and watches that would put most luxury stores to shame. Your name is Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Pong Tan to the public, and you have just been suspended from office by Thailand's Constitutional Court over alleged ethical misconduct. Talk about a plot twist. It is not just political theatre, it could be the final curtain for one of Southeast Asia's most enduring political dynasties. Anti-government protesters hold Thai national flags during a demonstration to demand the removal of Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office outside Government House in Bangkok on June 19, 2025. Paetongtarn faced mounting calls to resign on June 19 after a leaked phone call she had with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen provoked widespread anger and a key coalition partner to quit. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP) And if you are Malaysian, you might be watching this unfold with a mix of curiosity and deja vu. Because here, the words nepotism, dynasty and cronies are not exactly foreign concepts either. Let us rewind a bit. Thailand has been a Shinawatra saga for more than two decades. Thaksin Shinawatra, Pong Tan's father, was a business tycoon-turned-populist PM beloved by the working class but despised by the elite. 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Political discomfort? Definitely. While nothing has been officially proven, the whispers were loud enough to shake the party's stability. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended by the country's Constitutional Court on July 1, 2025, as it opened a probe into her conduct in a diplomatic spat with Cambodia. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP) Then there is the infamous 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal, an epic fall from grace for former PM Datuk Seri Najib Razak, whose actions not only stained his name but also that of his late father, Malaysia's second Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak. The United States (US) Department of Justice even called it the 'largest kleptocracy case in history.' That is not something you frame and hang on the wall. Malaysia is still dealing with the aftermath and the global embarrassment has not quite faded. Having political lineage is not a crime. 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