Israeli PM Netanyahu announces new Gaza offensive
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during the annual ceremony at the eve of Israel's Remembrance Day for fallen soldiers (Yom HaZikaron) at the Yad LaBanim Memorial in Jerusalem, 29 April 2025. PHOTO: REUTERS
Listen to article
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that a new offensive in Gaza will be an intensive military operation aimed at defeating Hamas, but stopped short of detailing just how much of the enclave's territory would be seized.
"Population will be moved, for its own protection," Netanyahu said in a video posted on X. He said Israeli soldiers won't go into Gaza, launch raids and then retreat. "The intention is the opposite of that," he said.
Earlier, Israel's security cabinet has unanimously approved a plan to expand military operations in the Gaza Strip, an Israeli official, though the move will only be implemented after US President Donald Trump visits the region next week.
The decision comes amid ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement with Hamas, which Israel hopes to finalise before escalating its military efforts in the enclave.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Greta Thunberg hits back at Donald Trump: "I think the world needs a lot more young, angry women"
Greta Thunberg has responded to Donald Trump's comments about her after being detained in Israel. The Swedish climate activist had been involved in a sail to Gaza to challenge Israel's blockade, but the boat was intercepted by Israeli forces. After being deported, Thunberg spoke out about her experiences. When asked about Trump's remarks, where he suggested she needed "anger management," Thunberg fired back, saying, "I think the world needs a lot more young, angry women, to be honest, especially with everything going on right now." The incident began when Thunberg and 11 other activists were part of a flotilla carrying emergency supplies to Palestine. However, Israeli forces intercepted the boat, with the Foreign Ministry referring to it as a "selfie yacht" carrying "celebrities," including Thunberg. The activist described the experience as an "illegal attack" and 'kidnapping' by Israeli authorities. Thunberg also expressed that the conditions she faced during detention were minor compared to the ongoing suffering in Gaza. She called out the blockade preventing humanitarian aid and condemned Israel's actions as violations of international rights. With her unwavering stance on human rights and climate action, Greta Thunberg continues to spark conversation, calling for more activism, especially from young people.
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Netanyahu survives opposition move to dissolve Israeli parliament
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during the annual ceremony at the eve of Israel's Remembrance Day for fallen soldiers (Yom HaZikaron) at the Yad LaBanim Memorial in Jerusalem, 29 April 2025. PHOTO: REUTERS Listen to article Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition has survived an opposition-led effort to dissolve the parliament, after ultra-Orthodox parties in his government agreed to back down over a contentious military draft bill. The vote, which could have been a first step leading to an early election that polls show Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would lose, was rejected with 61 lawmakers opposing it to 53 supporting it. The Knesset consists of 120 seats, and the majority needed to pass the vote was 61 lawmakers. This gives Netanyahu's ruling coalition further time to resolve its worst political crisis yet and avoid a ballot, which would be Israel's first since the eruption of the war in Gaza. Netanyahu has been pushing hard to resolve a deadlock in his coalition over a new military conscription bill, which has led to the present crisis. "I am pleased to announce that after long discussions we have reached agreements on the principles on which the draft law will be based," Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee Yuli Edelstein said in a statement. Read: Netanyahu admits arming criminal groups in Gaza Some religious parties in Netanyahu's coalition are seeking exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminary students from military service that is mandatory in Israel, while other lawmakers want to scrap any such exemptions altogether. The exemptions have been a hot-button issue in Israel for years but have become particularly contentious during the war in Gaza, as Israel has suffered its highest battlefield casualties in decades and its stretched military is in need of more troops. Growing increasingly impatient with the political deadlock, ultra-Orthodox coalition factions have said they will vote with opposition parties in favour of dissolving the Knesset and bringing forward an election that is not due until late 2026. "It's more than ever urgent to replace Netanyahu's government and specifically this toxic and harmful government," said Labour's opposition lawmaker Merav Michaeli. "It's urgent to end the war in Gaza and to bring back all the hostages. It's urgent to start rebuilding and healing the state of Israel." .
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Israel may strike Iran without US backing: US media reports
US President Donald Trump (R) meets with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 4, 2025. PHOTO: AFP Listen to article Israel is considering launching a military strike against Iran in the coming days — even without support from the United States amid faltering diplomatic efforts to curtail Iran's nuclear programme, according to multiple US media reports. Sources told NBC News that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has become increasingly serious about acting unilaterally as negotiations between Washington and Tehran move towards a preliminary deal that includes provisions allowing Iran to enrich uranium. According to Sky News' US partner network NBC, a Capitol Hill aide and other sources familiar with the matter confirmed that Israel is weighing military options independent of Washington's support. Read: Iran warns West, Israel over IAEA pressure ahead of new nuclear talks It comes as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN's nuclear watchdog, has formally concluded for the first time in nearly two decades that Iran is not complying with its nuclear obligations. Tehran has denied the claim, insisting it has remained within its safeguarding commitments. Iranian Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh on Wednesday warned that Tehran would target US military bases across the region if a conflict breaks out between the two countries. His statement followed testimony from General Michael Kurilla, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), who told Congress on Tuesday that he had presented President Trump with a 'range of options' to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. In response to the escalating tension, the United States has ordered the evacuation of all non-essential personnel from its embassy in Baghdad. A similar option has been extended to staff and dependents at US missions in Bahrain and Kuwait. US President Donald Trump confirmed the move on Wednesday evening, saying: 'They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place, and we'll see what happens'. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said the decision was taken 'as a result of a recent review,' but made no reference to any planned Israeli strike. Despite the evacuation, an Iraqi government source told the state news agency that Baghdad has not observed any security indicators warranting such a move. The US embassy in Baghdad is already operating with limited staffing. The Trump administration remains engaged in efforts to reach a nuclear agreement with Iran. According to Axios, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is set to meet Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Muscat, Oman, this weekend to discuss Tehran's response to a recent US proposal. Read More: Iran says US travel ban 'violates international law' Talks between the US and Iran aim to curb Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for partial relief from American sanctions. Iran insists its programme is peaceful and within international legal bounds. President Trump, however, expressed doubt about the prospects of reaching a deal. In an interview with the New York Post's 'Pod Force One' podcast, he said he was 'getting more and more less confident' in the negotiations. 'They seem to be delaying, and I think that's a shame,' Trump said. 'Something happened to them.'
