What to know about Israel's plan to take over Gaza City
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The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. The UN and independent experts view its figures as the most reliable estimate of war casualties. Israel disputes them but has not provided its own.
Opposition inside Israel
Another major ground operation will almost certainly lead to the killing of more Israeli soldiers in hit-and-run attacks, eroding domestic support for the war, and could endanger the remaining hostages.
Hamas-led militants killed some 1200 people, mostly civilians, in the October 7 attack and abducted 251 hostages. Most have since been released in ceasefires or other deals. Fifty remain inside the territory, about 20 of whom are believed by Israel to be alive.
Palestinian militants have released videos in recent days showing emaciated hostages, saying they are suffering the same starvation as the Palestinian population. Hamas is believed to be holding the hostages in tunnels and other secret locations and has hinted it will kill them if Israeli forces draw near.
Former security officials have also spoken out against further military operations, saying there is little to gain after Hamas has been militarily decimated.
Israel's military chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, reportedly argued during a Security Cabinet meeting that a more sweeping plan to retake all of Gaza would endanger the hostages and put added strain on the army after two years of regional wars.
International outrage
Israel has come under mounting international pressure in recent weeks as images of starving children have shone a light on the worsening hunger crisis. Twenty-eight Western-aligned nations, including some of its closest allies, called for it to end the war last month.
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Even US President Donald Trump, the strongest supporter it has ever had in the White House, has expressed concern about the hunger crisis. He has said he wants to end the war and return all the hostages, but also that it's up to Israel to decide its next moves.
Israel has dismissed the criticism, saying it has done everything it can to limit harm to civilians and blaming Hamas for their deaths. Netanyahu has denied there is starvation in Gaza despite eyewitness testimony, data compiled by experts and dire warnings from United Nations officials and major international aid groups operating there.
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Germany halts military exports that may be used in Gaza
Germany will not approve any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice, Chancellor Friedrich Merz says in response to Israel's plan to expand its military operations. Israel's political-security cabinet approved a plan early on Friday to take control of Gaza City, a move expanding military operations despite intensifying criticism at home and abroad over the devastating, almost two-year-old war. Merz said it was Israel's right to disarm Hamas and to seek the release of the Israeli hostages. "The German government believes that the even tougher military action in the Gaza Strip decided upon by the Israeli cabinet last night makes it increasingly difficult to see how these goals can be achieved," he said in a statement. "Under these circumstances, the German government will not approve any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice." Far-right allies in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition have been pushing for a total takeover of Gaza as part of his vow to eradicate Hamas militants, though the military has warned this could jeopardise the lives of remaining hostages. The release of the hostages and negotiations for a ceasefire are Germany's top priorities, Merz said, expressing deep concern over the suffering of civilians in the Gaza strip. Germany's parliament said in June that export licences for military equipment to Israel worth 485 million euros ($A865 million) were granted between October 7, 2023 and May 13, 2025. Germany has been one of Israel's strongest supporters since the October 7, 2023 attacks. Berlin has repeatedly blocked EU initiatives to sanction Israel over the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza. with DPA Germany will not approve any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice, Chancellor Friedrich Merz says in response to Israel's plan to expand its military operations. Israel's political-security cabinet approved a plan early on Friday to take control of Gaza City, a move expanding military operations despite intensifying criticism at home and abroad over the devastating, almost two-year-old war. Merz said it was Israel's right to disarm Hamas and to seek the release of the Israeli hostages. "The German government believes that the even tougher military action in the Gaza Strip decided upon by the Israeli cabinet last night makes it increasingly difficult to see how these goals can be achieved," he said in a statement. "Under these circumstances, the German government will not approve any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice." Far-right allies in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition have been pushing for a total takeover of Gaza as part of his vow to eradicate Hamas militants, though the military has warned this could jeopardise the lives of remaining hostages. The release of the hostages and negotiations for a ceasefire are Germany's top priorities, Merz said, expressing deep concern over the suffering of civilians in the Gaza strip. Germany's parliament said in June that export licences for military equipment to Israel worth 485 million euros ($A865 million) were granted between October 7, 2023 and May 13, 2025. Germany has been one of Israel's strongest supporters since the October 7, 2023 attacks. Berlin has repeatedly blocked EU initiatives to sanction Israel over the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza. with DPA Germany will not approve any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice, Chancellor Friedrich Merz says in response to Israel's plan to expand its military operations. Israel's political-security cabinet approved a plan early on Friday to take control of Gaza City, a move expanding military operations despite intensifying criticism at home and abroad over the devastating, almost two-year-old war. Merz said it was Israel's right to disarm Hamas and to seek the release of the Israeli hostages. "The German government believes that the even tougher military action in the Gaza Strip decided upon by the Israeli cabinet last night makes it increasingly difficult to see how these goals can be achieved," he said in a statement. "Under these circumstances, the German government will not approve any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice." Far-right allies in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition have been pushing for a total takeover of Gaza as part of his vow to eradicate Hamas militants, though the military has warned this could jeopardise the lives of remaining hostages. The release of the hostages and negotiations for a ceasefire are Germany's top priorities, Merz said, expressing deep concern over the suffering of civilians in the Gaza strip. Germany's parliament said in June that export licences for military equipment to Israel worth 485 million euros ($A865 million) were granted between October 7, 2023 and May 13, 2025. Germany has been one of Israel's strongest supporters since the October 7, 2023 attacks. Berlin has repeatedly blocked EU initiatives to sanction Israel over the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza. with DPA Germany will not approve any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice, Chancellor Friedrich Merz says in response to Israel's plan to expand its military operations. Israel's political-security cabinet approved a plan early on Friday to take control of Gaza City, a move expanding military operations despite intensifying criticism at home and abroad over the devastating, almost two-year-old war. Merz said it was Israel's right to disarm Hamas and to seek the release of the Israeli hostages. "The German government believes that the even tougher military action in the Gaza Strip decided upon by the Israeli cabinet last night makes it increasingly difficult to see how these goals can be achieved," he said in a statement. "Under these circumstances, the German government will not approve any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice." Far-right allies in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition have been pushing for a total takeover of Gaza as part of his vow to eradicate Hamas militants, though the military has warned this could jeopardise the lives of remaining hostages. The release of the hostages and negotiations for a ceasefire are Germany's top priorities, Merz said, expressing deep concern over the suffering of civilians in the Gaza strip. Germany's parliament said in June that export licences for military equipment to Israel worth 485 million euros ($A865 million) were granted between October 7, 2023 and May 13, 2025. Germany has been one of Israel's strongest supporters since the October 7, 2023 attacks. Berlin has repeatedly blocked EU initiatives to sanction Israel over the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza. with DPA
The Australian
an hour ago
- The Australian
Israel to 'take control' of Gaza City, sparking wave of criticism
Israel's military will "take control" of Gaza City under a new plan approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet, touching off a wave of criticism Friday from both inside and outside the country. Nearly two years into the war in Gaza, Netanyahu faces mounting pressure to secure a truce to pull the territory's more than two million people back from the brink of famine and free the hostages held by Palestinian militants. Israel's foe Hamas denounced the plan to expand the fighting as a "new war crime", while staunch Israeli ally Germany took the extraordinary step of halting military exports out of concern they could be used in Gaza. Under the newly approved plan to "defeat" Hamas, the Israeli army "will prepare to take control of Gaza City while distributing humanitarian assistance to the civilian population outside combat zones", the premier's office said Friday. Before the decision, Netanyahu had said Israel planned to seize complete control of the Gaza Strip, but did not intend to govern it. "We don't want to keep it," the premier told US network Fox News on Thursday, adding Israel wanted a "security perimeter" and to hand the Palestinian territory to "Arab forces that will govern it properly without threatening us". Israel occupied Gaza from 1967, but withdrew its troops and settlers in 2005. Netanyahu's office said a majority of the security cabinet had adopted "five principles", including demilitarisation of the territory and "the establishment of an alternative civil administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority". The new plan triggered swift criticism from across the globe, with China, Turkey, the UK and the UN's rights chief issuing statements of concern. In a major shift, meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced his country was halting military shipments to Israel, saying it was "increasingly difficult to understand" how the new plan would help achieve legitimate aims. "Under these circumstances, the German government will not authorise any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice," he said. - 'March of recklessness' - Reactions in Israel were more mixed. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid denounced the cabinet's move as "a disaster that will lead to many other disasters". He warned on X that it would result in "the death of the hostages, the killing of many soldiers, cost Israeli taxpayers tens of billions, and lead to diplomatic bankruptcy". The main campaign group for hostages' families also slammed the plan, saying it amounted to "abandoning" the captives. "The cabinet chose last night to embark on another march of recklessness, on the backs of the hostages, the soldiers, and Israeli society as a whole," the Hostage and Missing Families Forum said. An expanded Israeli offensive could see ground troops operate in densely populated areas where hostages are believed to be held, local media have reported. Other Israelis, meanwhile, offered their support. "As they take control of Gaza, they will eliminate Hamas completely -- maybe not completely, but at least a good percentage of them," said Chaim Klein, a 26-year-old yeshiva student. The Israeli army said last month that it controlled 75 percent of the Gaza Strip, mainly from its positions in the territory along the border. Out of 251 hostages captured during Hamas's 2023 attack, 49 are still being held in Gaza, including 27 the military says are dead. - 'Extremist agenda' - Gaza residents said they feared for the worst, as they braced for the next onslaught. "They tell us to go south, then back north, and now they want to send us south again. We are human beings, but no one hears us or sees us," Maysa al-Shanti, a 52-year-old mother of six, told AFP. Hamas on Friday said the "plans to occupy Gaza City and evacuate its residents constitutes a new war crime". It warned Israel that the operation would "cost it dearly", and that "expanding the aggression means sacrificing" the hostages. International concern has been growing over the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, where a UN-backed assessment has warned that famine is unfolding. The World Health Organization said at least 99 people have died from malnutrition in the territory this year, with the figure likely an underestimate. In late July, Israel partially eased restrictions on aid entering Gaza, but the United Nations says the amount allowed into the territory remains insufficient. Amjad Al-Shawa, head of the Palestinian NGO Network in the Gaza Strip, told AFP that lengthy inspection procedures at entry points meant few trucks could come in -- "between 70 to 80 per day -- carrying only specific types of goods". The UN estimates that Gaza needs at least 600 trucks of aid per day to meet residents' basic needs. Israel's offensive has killed at least 61,258 Palestinians, according to Hamas-run Gaza's health ministry. The 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. str-ds/smw
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Germany halts military exports that may be used in Gaza
Germany will not approve any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice, Chancellor Friedrich Merz says in response to Israel's plan to expand its military operations. Israel's political-security cabinet approved a plan early on Friday to take control of Gaza City, a move expanding military operations despite intensifying criticism at home and abroad over the devastating, almost two-year-old war. Merz said it was Israel's right to disarm Hamas and to seek the release of the Israeli hostages. "The German government believes that the even tougher military action in the Gaza Strip decided upon by the Israeli cabinet last night makes it increasingly difficult to see how these goals can be achieved," he said in a statement. "Under these circumstances, the German government will not approve any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice." Far-right allies in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition have been pushing for a total takeover of Gaza as part of his vow to eradicate Hamas militants, though the military has warned this could jeopardise the lives of remaining hostages. The release of the hostages and negotiations for a ceasefire are Germany's top priorities, Merz said, expressing deep concern over the suffering of civilians in the Gaza strip. Germany's parliament said in June that export licences for military equipment to Israel worth 485 million euros ($A865 million) were granted between October 7, 2023 and May 13, 2025. Germany has been one of Israel's strongest supporters since the October 7, 2023 attacks. Berlin has repeatedly blocked EU initiatives to sanction Israel over the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza. with DPA
