Israel vows to occupy Gaza to clear out Hamas terrorists and then hand it over to Arab forces
GAZA PLAN Israel vows to occupy Gaza to clear out Hamas terrorists and then hand it over to Arab forces
ISRAEL has vowed to take full control of Gaza to clear out Hamas terrorists, then hand it over to friendly Arab forces.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country was 'well on our way' to ensuring Gaza 'doesn't pose a threat to Israel again'.
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Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country was 'well on our way' to ensuring Gaza 'doesn't pose a threat to Israel again'
Credit: Unpixs
He told Fox News: 'We intend to, in order to ensure our security, remove Hamas there, and to pass it to civilian governance that is not Hamas and not anyone advocating the destruction of Israel.
'We want to liberate ourselves and liberate the people of Gaza from the awful terror of Hamas.'
Mr Netanyahu added: 'We want to have a security perimeter.
"We don't want to govern it.
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"We don't want to be there as a governing body.'
He said Israel wants to 'hand it over to Arab forces that will govern it properly, without threatening us, and giving the Gazans a good life.'
The Israeli military says it already has operational control of 75 per cent of the Gaza Strip, while the United Nations has said around 87 per cent is under Israeli military control or subject to evacuation orders.
US ambassador Mike Huckabee insisted it was up to the Israeli government to decide if they want to annex Gaza.
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He said he would not 'tell them what they should or shouldn't do'.
But Israel's opposition leader Yair Lapid warned Mr Netanyahu's proposal to take over Gaza would lead to 'another war' and 'more dead hostages'.
Israel plans NEW Gaza assault after horrifying clip of emaciated Israeli hostage 'digging own grave'
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Irish Examiner
4 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Israel faces growing global condemnation over military expansion in Gaza
International condemnation grew on Saturday over Israel's decision for a military takeover of Gaza City, while little appeared to change immediately on the ground in the territory shattered by 22 months of war. Health officials said that 11 Palestinians seeking aid were shot dead, and 11 adults died of malnutrition-related causes in the past 24 hours. US special envoy Steve Witkoff was expected to meet with Qatar's prime minister in Spain on Saturday to discuss a new proposal to end the war, according to two officials familiar with the talks, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak with the media. Palestinians collect humanitarian aid packages from the United Arab Emirates after they were airdropped into Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza Strip (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Mediators in Egypt and Qatar are preparing a new ceasefire framework that would include the release of all hostages — dead and alive — in one go in return for the war's end and the withdrawal of Israeli forces, two Arab officials have told The Associated Press. – 'Shut the country down' Families of hostages were rallying again on Saturday evening to pressure the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid new fears over the 50 remaining hostages, with 20 of them thought to be alive and struggling. 'The living will be murdered and the fallen will be lost forever' if the offensive goes ahead, said Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is held in Gaza. She called on Israelis to 'help us save the hostages, the soldiers and the state of Israel… Shut the country down.' A joint statement by nine countries including Germany, France and Canada said that the 'strongly reject' Israel's decision for the large-scale military operation, saying it will worsen the 'catastrophic humanitarian situation', endanger hostages and further risk mass displacement. They said any attempts at annexation or settlement in Gaza violate international law. A separate statement by more than 20 countries including ceasefire mediators Egypt and Qatar along with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates called Israel's decision a 'dangerous and unacceptable escalation'. Meanwhile, Russia said Israel's plan will aggravate the 'already extremely dramatic situation' in Gaza. The UN Security Council planned an emergency meeting on Sunday. And Germany has said it will not authorise any exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza until further notice. – Killed while seeking aid Officials at Nasser and Awda hospitals said that Israeli forces killed at least 11 people seeking aid in southern and central Gaza. Some had been waiting for aid trucks, while others had been approaching aid distribution points. The sun sets behind buildings that were destroyed during the Israeli ground and air operations stand in the northern Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel (Leo Correa/AP) Israel's military denied opening fire and said that it was unaware of the incidents. The military secures routes leading to distribution sites run by the Israeli-backed and US-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Two witnesses told the AP that Israeli troops fired toward crowds approaching a GHF distribution site on foot in the Netzarim corridor, a military zone that bisects Gaza. One witness, Ramadan Gaber, said that snipers and tanks fired on aid-seekers, forcing them to retreat. In Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, some aid-seekers cheered the latest airdrops of aid. Hundreds of people rushed to grab what they could, though many have called the process degrading. Aid organisations have called airdrops expensive, insufficient and potentially dangerous for people on the ground. Israel's military said that at least 106 packages of aid were airdropped on Saturday as Italy and Greece joined the multi-country effort for the first time. Footage from Italy's defence ministry showed not only packages being parachuted over Gaza but the dry and devastated landscape below. 'This way is not for humans, it is for animals,' said one man at the scene, Mahmoud Hawila, who said he was stabbed while trying to secure an airdropped package. Palestinians collect humanitarian aid packages from the United Arab Emirates after they were airdropped into Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza Strip (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Barefoot children collected rice, pasta and lentils that had spilled from packages onto the ground. The United Nations and partners, whose existing aid delivery system has been criticised by Israel, has called repeatedly for more of the trucks waiting outside Gaza to be allowed not just into the territory, but safely to destinations inside it for distribution. – More deaths from hunger Gaza's Health Ministry said that 11 more adults died of malnutrition-related causes over the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 114 since it began counting such adult deaths in late June. It said that 98 children have died of malnutrition-related causes since the war began with the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7 2023, with militants killing around 1,200 people and abducting 251. Israel is 'forcing Palestinians into a state of near-starvation to the point that they abandon their land voluntarily,' Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan told a news conference in Egypt. The toll from hunger is not included in the ministry's death toll of 61,300 Palestinians in the war. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, does not distinguish between fighters or civilians, but says around half of the dead have been women and children. The UN and independent experts consider it the most reliable source on war casualties. Israel disputes the ministry's figures, but has not provided its own.
The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
My girl, 10, is still traumatised by Hamas hostage hell… Starmer's insane plan to recognise Palestine EMBOLDENS thugs
SIR Keir Starmer's plan to recognise Palestine as a state is "insane", the father of hostage Emily Hand has blasted. Embattled father Thomas, who said he and his young daughter will forever be traumatised by October 7, warned it will only serve to "embolden" Hamas. 6 Thomas said daughter Emily is now 'doing amazing' after her ordeal Credit: Supplied 6 Emily was reunited with her dad after 50 days in captivity Credit: Reuters 6 The youngster was snatched by Hamas while on a sleepover at her friend's house He said they constantly now live in fear of a repeat of the atrocity - and warned Britain recognising Palestine as a state is a "carrot" and "reward" for the evil terror group. Brave Thomas told The Sun: "I am shocked. Previous governments have agreed that it would not be in the best interests of peace. "It's rewarding terrorist actions. It's absolutely insane." Sir Keir last week outlined the government's route to recognising Palestine as a state last week. The PM vowed the UK would act by the end of September - unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire, allows humanitarian aid into Gaza, halts West Bank annexation plans, and commits to serious peace talks. But Donald Trump, political rivals of the Labour leader and the families of hostages are among the chorus of voices slapping down the move. Thomas, 65, added: "All the pressure is on Israel - you must do this or the UK will recognise a Palestinian state. "That's like a stick to us, but it's like a carrot to them. [They think] let's carry on with this war. "They were two days to a peace deal and then [they] came out with this statement and that peace deal went off the table. "It emboldens them. It reinforces them. It's a very shameful decision." Starmer vows UK will recognise Palestine in weeks unless Israel ends crisis – but critics blast 'reward' for Hamas Fighting back tears, Thomas insisted not enough is being done to bring back the remaining 50 hostages - 20 of whom are believed to still be alive. He believes Sir Keir's plan could throw their chances of rescue into jeopardy. And Thomas said he and daughter Emily - who spent 50 days in Hamas' clutches - fear Hamas could launch a similar attack to October 7. Emily, 10, and her dad are among countless innocents who have been left permanently scarred by the unspeakable horror they were put through that day. But despite the hell they suffered, Thomas believes his family were among the "lucky" ones. He said: "I had my eight-year-old daughter kidnapped for 50 days, the mother of my two older children murdered. We got away lightly. "One of my best friends - Leanne Sharabi - and her two teenage kids, executed. "They [Hamas] had too many hostages that day, so the orders went out to kill them. Don't take anymore back, just kill them. "There were whole families wiped out. "Crazy statements, but only losing my ex-wife and I thought I'd lost my daughter, I consider it lucky. Crazy statements." Will there be a peace deal? AS of August 2025, a lasting Israel-Hamas peace deal hangs in the balance. A January 19 ceasefire saw 25 Israeli hostages and 1,900 Palestinian prisoners freed, but collapsed by March 18 after Israeli airstrikes killed over 400 in Gaza. July's US-backed 60-day truce push aimed to free remaining hostages and spark permanent talks, but stalled in Cairo. Hamas demands a full Israeli withdrawal; Israel insists on Hamas disarming. With 90 Palestinians killed in recent strikes and both sides dug in—Israel on security, Hamas on ending the war—talks teeter. Mediators see glimmers of hope, but mistrust and clashing red lines keep peace elusive. Dublin-born Thomas - who grew up in London - travelled to Israel three decades ago to volunteer on a kibbutz near Gaza. He had two children with wife Narkis before they split and then had Emily with new partner Liat, who died of breast cancer when Emily was two. Narkis, 52, was killed on October 7 when 400 Hamas thugs rampaged through the Be'eri kibbutz. Emily was on a sleepover at a pal's home when she was snatched and Thomas survived by barricading himself inside a safe room for 19 hours. The youngster - who was rushed from house-to-house by Hamas fighters during gun battles with Israeli troops - turned nine while in Gaza before her release. She ran into her dad's open arms after 50 days in captivity traumatised and broken. Now 10-years-old, Thomas said Emily will forever be affected by her ordeal - and that he can no longer shield her from the inhumanity hostages are still suffering. Last week, warped Hamas released harrowing footage of two starved, pale and broken hostages - Evyatar David, 24, and Rom Braslavski, 21. 6 Thomas Hand has hit out at Sire Keir Starmer's proposal to recognise the Palestinian state Credit: Louis Wood - Commissioned by The Sun. 6 Israeli hostage Evyatar David looking weak and malnourished Credit: AFP 6 Rom Braslavski, 21, was seen in tears as he's held captive by Hamas terrorists "At first I obviously totally protected her from seeing stuff like that," Thomas said. "But more over time she wanted to see. She almost has to see. "Every child in the country knows what's going on. Some of them were involved in it. "Emily wants to see how our hostage are doing, surviving." After her release, Emily's weight had crashed, her clothes and hair were matted and filthy and she was unable to speak in more than a whisper. But Thomas told how Emily is now "doing amazing" and that they are doing everything they can to "bring her back to a normal childhood". He added: "She's having fun, surfing loads and horse riding. "She's put on her weight, she's out in the sun, she's getting tanned. She's doing childish, girly things again. "But she will always be that little bit more mature than all her friends the same age. "She's been through something no child, no human being, should ever be through." It comes as Israel said Friday it will intensify the 22-month war with Hamas by taking over Gaza City - renewing international calls for an end to the conflict. It will likely require mobilising thousands of troops and forcibly evacuating civilians.
Irish Times
8 hours ago
- Irish Times
Israeli army kills Palestinians collecting aid, says Gaza civil defence agency
Gaza 's civil defence agency has said at least 10 people were killed across the Palestinian territory on Saturday, including civilians who were waiting to collect aid. Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that at least six people were killed and 30 wounded after Israeli troops targeted civilians assembling near an aid point in central Gaza. It comes after, early Friday, the Israeli security cabinet approved plans to launch major operations to seize Gaza City, triggering a wave of outrage across the globe. Despite the backlash and rumours of dissent from Israeli military top brass, prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu remained defiant over the decision. READ MORE In a post on social media late on Friday, Mr Netanyahu said 'we are not going to occupy Gaza – we are going to free Gaza from Hamas'. Mr Netanyahu faces mounting pressure to secure a ceasefire to bring the territory's more than two million people back from the brink of famine and free the hostages held by Palestinian militants. [ Opinion: Why has Gazans' hunger attained the status of 'moral crisis' when Israel's genocidal slaughter did not? Opens in new window ] The worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Israel's plans to expand military control over the enclave have pushed Germany to curb arms exports to Israel, a historically fraught step for Berlin driven by a growing public outcry. Conservative chancellor Friedrich Merz, hitherto a staunchly pro-Israel leader, made the announcement on Friday, arguing that Israel's actions would not achieve its stated war goals of eliminating Hamas militants or bringing Israeli hostages home. The UN Security Council announced an emergency meeting on Israel's plans was rescheduled to Sunday after originally being scheduled to take place on Saturday. The UN Mission of Panama, which holds the council presidency this month, provided no details, but Saturday is the Jewish Sabbath and Israel is certain to want to speak at the meeting. The efforts for a new ceasefire have the backing of major Arab Gulf monarchies, according to two officials who spoke to AP anonymously due to the sensitivity of the discussions. One is involved directly in the deliberations and the second was briefed on the efforts. The monarchies are concerned about further regional destabilisation if Israel fully reoccupies Gaza, the officials said. A senior Hamas official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorised to brief the media, said the group has yet to receive details on the latest efforts to revive ceasefire talks. The war was triggered on October 7th, 2023, when Hamas's attack on Israel killed 1,200 people and saw 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's subsequent attack on Gaza has killed more than 60,000 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza. [ As an Irish Jew my Star of David is no longer a badge of pride but a mark of shame Opens in new window ] Meanwhile, Iran has arrested 20 people it alleges are operatives of Israel's Mossad spy agency in recent months, the judiciary said on Saturday, warning that they will face no leniency and will be made an example of. On Wednesday, Iran executed a nuclear scientist named Rouzbeh Vadi, who was convicted of spying for Israel and passing on information on another nuclear scientist killed in Israel's air strikes on Iran in June, state media reported. Judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangiri told reporters in Tehran on Saturday that charges against some of the 20 suspects arrested had been dropped and they were released. He did not give a number. 'The judiciary will show no leniency toward spies and agents of the Zionist regime, and with firm rulings, will make an example of them all,' Mr Jahangiri was quoted as saying by Iranian media. Executions of Iranians convicted of spying for Israel have significantly increased this year, with at least eight death sentences carried out in recent months. Israel carried out 12 days of air strikes on Iran in June, targeting Iran's top generals, nuclear scientists, nuclear installations, as well as residential neighbourhoods. Iran responded with barrages of missiles and drones on Israel. Rights group HRANA reported 1,190 Iranian deaths during the 12-day Israeli attacks, including 436 civilians and 435 security personnel. Israel said 28 were killed in Iran's retaliatory attack. – Guardian/Reuters
