'Central concept' cleared: IDF chief okays Gaza City takeover plan; air strikes intensify
Israel's military chief on Wednesday signed off on the central operational framework for a planned offensive to seize Gaza City, the largest urban area in the territory and a key Hamas stronghold.
The announcement came days after Israel's security cabinet called for the city's takeover, amid mounting international concern over the war's humanitarian toll.
Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir approved the 'main concept' for the Israel Defence Forces' Gaza campaign during a meeting with the General Staff Forum, Shin Bet officers and senior commanders. The plan follows a new push in the Zeitoun neighbourhood, where operations began this week.
While the timetable for entering Gaza City has not been disclosed, officials indicated the offensive would not begin immediately.
Zamir, who had previously clashed with Defence Minister Israel Katz and expressed reservations over troop fatigue, told commanders to prepare reserve units and improve readiness ahead of the assault. 'We are at the start of a new stage in the fighting in Gaza. We will do everything to protect the hostages and bring them home,' he said.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
If Your Ears Ring, Stop Sleeping Like This Immediately
Derila Ergo
Undo
Tensions over strategy and hostage deal
The move comes as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doubles down on military pressure, insisting that all remaining hostages – alive or dead – must be returned before the war ends. Around 50 hostages are still held by Hamas following its 7 October 2023 attack, in which 1,219 people in Israel were killed. Israel believes only about 20 remain alive.
Hamas has demanded a permanent ceasefire, prisoner releases and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in exchange for freeing the hostages.
Indirect talks brokered by Egypt and Qatar have stalled, but a Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo this week for fresh discussions.
Netanyahu has suggested that partial hostage deals are now off the table. 'I want all of them,' he told Israel's i24 News, adding that the war would only end with Hamas's surrender and continued Israeli security control over Gaza.
Intensified air strikes and rising humanitarian crisis
Israeli air strikes have intensified on Gaza City, particularly in Zeitoun and Sabra, with Gaza's civil defence agency reporting 'very heavy' bombardment of residential areas, including possible high-rise buildings.
The Gaza Health Ministry, regarded by the UN as a credible source, says more than 61,599 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, with around half of them women and children.
The United Nations warns that starvation and malnutrition are now at their highest levels since the conflict began. Gaza's Health Ministry reported that 222 people – 121 adults and 101 children – have died from malnutrition-related causes.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said humanitarian aid entering Gaza remains far below the minimum needed, citing delays and restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities.
In a separate incident, the Israeli military claimed it struck militants in Gaza disguised as aid workers, using a vehicle bearing the logo of World Central Kitchen. The charity confirmed the individuals and the car were not affiliated with it and condemned the misuse of humanitarian symbols.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
30 minutes ago
- NDTV
Israel PM Netanyahu Floats "Allowing" Palestinians Out Of Gaza Amid Truce Push
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday revived calls to "allow" Palestinians to leave the Gaza Strip, as the military prepares a broader offensive in the territory. Past calls to resettle Gazans outside of the war-battered territory, including from US President Donald Trump, have sparked concern among Palestinians and condemnation from the international community. Netanyahu defended his war policies in a rare interview with Israeli media, broadcast shortly after Egypt said Gaza mediators were leading a renewed push to secure a 60-day truce. The premier told Israeli broadcaster i24NEWS that "we are not pushing them out, but we are allowing them to leave". "Give them the opportunity to leave, first of all, combat zones, and generally to leave the territory, if they want," he said, citing refugee outflows during wars in Syria, Ukraine and Afghanistan. In the Gaza Strip, Israel for years has tightly controlled the borders and barred many from leaving. "We will allow this, first of all within Gaza during the fighting, and we will certainly allow them to leave Gaza as well," Netanyahu said. For Palestinians, any effort to force them off their land would recall the "Nakba", or catastrophe -- the mass displacement of Palestinians during Israel's creation in 1948. Netanyahu has endorsed Trump's suggestion this year to expel Gaza's more than two million people to Egypt and Jordan, while far-right Israeli ministers have called for their "voluntary" departure. Cairo Talks Israel's plans to expand its offensive into Gaza City come as diplomacy aimed at securing an elusive ceasefire and hostage release deal in the 22-month-old war has stalled for weeks, after the latest round of negotiations broke down in July. Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty announced that Cairo was "working very hard now in full cooperation with the Qataris and Americans", aiming for "a ceasefire for 60 days, with the release of some hostages and some Palestinian detainees, and the flow of humanitarian and medical assistance to Gaza without restrictions, without conditions". Hamas said in a statement early Wednesday that a delegation of its leadership had arrived in Cairo for "preliminary talks" with Egyptian officials. A Palestinian source earlier told AFP that the mediators were working "to formulate a new comprehensive ceasefire agreement proposal" that would include the release of all remaining hostages in Gaza "in one batch". Netanyahu said in his interview he would oppose the staggered release of hostages, and instead would "want to return all of them as part of an end to the war -- but under our conditions". Mediation efforts led by Qatar, Egypt and the United States have failed to secure a breakthrough since a short-lived truce earlier this year. News of the potential truce talks came as Gaza's civil defence agency said Israel has intensified its air strikes on Gaza City in recent days, following the security cabinet's decision to expand the war there. Intensified Strikes Netanyahu's government has not provided an exact timetable on when forces may enter the area, but civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal said on Tuesday that air raids had already begun increasing over the past three days. Israel is "intensifying its bombardment" using "bombs, drones, and also highly explosive munitions that cause massive destruction", he said. Bassal said that Israeli strikes across the territory, including on Gaza City, killed at least 33 people on Tuesday. "The bombardment has been extremely intense for the past two days. With every strike, the ground shakes," said Majed al-Hosary, a resident of Gaza City's Zeitun neighbourhood. An Israeli air strike on Sunday killed four Al Jazeera employees and two freelance reporters outside a Gaza City hospital, with Israel accusing one of the dead correspondents of being a Hamas leader. Israel has faced mounting criticism over the war, which was triggered by Palestinian group Hamas's October 2023 attack. UN-backed experts have warned of widespread famine unfolding in the territory, where Israel has drastically curtailed the amount of humanitarian aid it allows in. Netanyahu is under mounting domestic pressure to secure the release of the remaining hostages -- 49 people including 27 the Israeli military says are dead -- as well as over his plans to expand the war. Hamas's 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Israel's offensive has killed at least 61,599 Palestinians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, whose toll the United Nations considers reliable.
Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Time of India
Kuwait: No more minimum salary requirement for family visit visas, what expats need to know
Visitors to Kuwait can now enter by air, land, or sea using any airline or transport carrier, removing previous restrictions/ Representative image K uwait has officially removed the salary requirement for expatriates applying for family visit visas, in a significant shift aimed at easing entry for extended family members. The move, confirmed by top interior ministry officials, forms part of a wider effort to make Kuwait more accessible to visitors and to strengthen social ties among residents. Just a day earlier, Kuwait had also introduced visa-on-arrival privileges for foreign residents of GCC countries, underscoring the country's broader regional integration goals. TL;DR Kuwait removes minimum salary requirement for family visit visas. Extended family up to fourth degree now eligible for visits. Visa applications processed online in as little as five minutes. Visitors can arrive via any airline or transport mode. Salary barrier removed, all expats can now invite extended family In a major policy overhaul, Kuwait has eliminated the minimum income requirement for expatriates seeking to bring family members on visit visas. Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah authoriz ed the change, which is now officially in effect. Under the updated rules: All expatriates residing legally in Kuwait can apply for family visit visas, regardless of their salary level. The new eligibility extends to relatives up to the fourth degree by blood, and third-degree in-laws by marriage, significantly expanding the previously limited scope which covered only spouses, parents, and children. Colonel Abdulaziz Al Kandari of the General Residency Department's Electronic Services Administration confirmed that the shift aims to support family cohesion and remove bureaucratic hurdles for residents. 'Any legal resident in Kuwait can now apply to host visiting family members, regardless of income,' he said, adding that applications are available through the newly launched Kuwait Visa platform and mobile app, with most complete applications processed in just five minutes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These Are The Most Beautiful Women In The World Undo The family visit visa is valid for one month, with the option to arrive via air, land, or sea, using any carrier. This marks another major update, as visitors are no longer required to travel exclusively with Kuwaiti airlines such as Kuwait Airways or Al-Jazeera Airways. A unified platform offering four visa categories The visa reforms are part of the government's broader plan to modernize and digitize the immigration process. The Kuwait Visa platform, available via website and mobile application, now issues four distinct types of visas: Tourist Visa Family Visit Visa Business Visa Governmental Visa Each category serves specific needs, with streamlined online procedures for faster processing. The business visa, for instance, allows Kuwaiti companies to invite foreign business partners, with fees varying based on nationality. Detailed breakdown of tourist visa categories Tourist visas issued via the platform are classified into four categories, each with different eligibility conditions: Category 1: Nationals of 53 countries, mostly Western and developed nations. Includes 41 European countries, 8 Asian countries (such as Japan, Singapore, Brunei, South Korea, Hong Kong, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia), and the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Eligible individuals can obtain visas on arrival or through online application. No additional conditions or documentation required. Authorities still recommend applying online to avoid potential delays due to security screening. Category 2: Open to foreign residents of GCC countries, as well as individuals holding valid US, UK, Canadian, or Schengen visas. No longer requires proof of profession level, as the earlier stipulation for "medium to high" profession holders has been removed. No need for salary certificate or bank statement. Required documents: Passport copy Personal photo Confirmed air ticket Hotel booking Visa options: Single-entry: valid for 1, 2, or 3 months. Multiple-entry: valid for 3 months, 6 months, or 1 year (maximum stay: 1 month per entry). Category 3: For applicants not eligible under Categories 1 or 2. Must show proof of financial capacity through bank account statements. Final rules are still under review. Category 4: For individuals attending entertainment or sports events in Kuwait. Applications will open only during event periods. GCC expat residents now get visa on arrival, no prior application Just a day before the family visa reforms, Kuwait introduced a separate but equally significant change: foreign residents of GCC countries can now obtain tourist visas on arrival. The decision was introduced by First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, and applies to expatriates living in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, or Kuwait, as long as their residency permit is valid for at least six months. Unlike before, there are no restrictions based on nationality, and travelers no longer need to apply in advance or go through embassies. The visa is issued directly at any entry point, by land, sea, or air, making travel to Kuwait much easier for non-GCC nationals living in the region. This move replaces older, more restrictive policies and is part of a wider shift across the Gulf to open up travel for residents. It also supports Kuwait's efforts to grow its tourism sector, which is expected to generate over $1.13 billion by 2025 through increased regional mobility and visitor numbers. FAQs: Q. Who can apply for the family visit visa under the new rules? Any legal expatriate resident in Kuwait can apply, regardless of income. Q. Which relatives are now eligible for family visit visas? Relatives up to the fourth degree by blood and third degree by marriage. Q. How long is the family visit visa valid? The visa is valid for one month only. Q. Do visitors have to use Kuwait's national airlines to enter? No, visitors can arrive by air, land, or sea using any carrier.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Turkiye says Israel, Kurdish fighters should stop destabilising Syria
Ankara, Aug 13 (AP) Israel and Kurdish fighters should stop threatening the security and stability of Syria, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Wednesday. Speaking at a news conference in Ankara with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, Fidan accused Israel and the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, of undermining the country's efforts to reestablish itself after more than a decade of civil war. He said Israel had 'fuelled certain difficulties" in Syria and warned that Israeli security 'cannot be achieved through undermining the security of your neighbours." 'To the contrary, you should make sure your neighbouring countries are prosperous and secure. If you try to destabilise these countries, if you take steps to that end, this could trigger other crises in the region." Since Islamist-led insurgents ousted former President Bashar Assad in a rebel offensive in December, the new interim government in Damascus has struggled to maintain stability and heal the wounds of the nearly 14-year civil war. Most recently, hundreds were killed in clashes in the southern province of Sweida between government forces and local Bedouin tribesmen on one side and fighters from the country's Druze minority on the other. Meanwhile, tensions have also risen between the central government and the US-allied SDF that controls northeastern Syria. Implementation of an agreement reached in March to merge the SDF with the new Syrian army has stalled and there have been scattered outbreaks of violence between the two sides. Fidan accused the SDF of trying to turn instability in Syria into an 'opportunity for themselves." Ankara views the SDF with hostility as the group is spearheaded by the People's Protection Units, or YPG, affiliated with the Kurdish group that recently entered a peace process with Turkiye after more than 40 years of fighting. The SDF has said it is not party to the deal between Ankara and the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK. 'The upper echelons of the YPG need to stop stalling because the chaos they're waiting for (in Syria) will not take place, and even if it does, it will not be to their advantage," Fidan said. He added: 'They shouldn't take us for fools. We have good intentions, but that doesn't mean we will turn a blind eye to your mischievous or devious ways." Turkiye has been supportive of Syria's new administration, which is formed largely by rebels that Ankara backed during the civil war. 'Every actor in the region is not as constructive as us," Fidan said. 'There are certain people who have been meddling in the affairs of Syria, chief among whom is the Israeli administration." Al-Shibani, meanwhile, said Israel's actions 'undermine the security of our citizens," adding that 'certain countries want Syria to disintegrate based on ideologies, based on ethnicity, and obviously we are against all these efforts." (AP) NPK NPK view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
