Israel kills 40 in Gaza as Netanyahu pushes for full occupation
Israeli airstrikes overnight into Tuesday killed at least 40 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip, including 10 civilians who were shot while waiting for food at a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distribution center, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
The total death toll has now surpassed 60,000, with more than 148,000 injured since the outbreak of the war.
The Health Ministry reported that five people, including three children, died of starvation yesterday, raising the total number of famine-related deaths to 180, with 93 of them children.
رئيس شبكة المنظمات الأهلية الفلسطينية في غزة للجزيرة: الاحتلال الإسرائيلي يمعن في تجويع أهالي القطاع.الاحتلال يفرض قيودا صارمة على دخول المواد الغذائية للقطاع.الاحتلال يريد تأجيج الفوضى في القطاع من خلال عمليات نهب المساعدات. #غزه_تموت_جوعاً pic.twitter.com/Z3NHRQthgu
— المركز الفلسطيني للإعلام (@PalinfoAr) August 5, 2025
Amid this crisis, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly resolved to pursue a 'full occupation of the Gaza Strip,' according to Israeli media. The Security Cabinet is expected to meet later today to finalize the plan.
The Prime Minister's office confirmed that Benjamin Netanyahu has come to a decision for the full occupation of the Gaza Strip, including operations in areas where hostages are held. @AmichaiStein1 https://t.co/cfTLKpyeNF
— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) August 4, 2025
Israeli Army Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, is reportedly opposing the move, warning that it could endanger hostages and result in substantial Israeli and Palestinian casualties. The debate comes just days after US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff visited Israel to push for a renewed ceasefire framework.
Global support for a two-state solution remains widespread. The United Nations and the Arab League continue to back the creation of an independent Palestinian state, while more than 140 countries — including Russia, China, India, and most African, Asian, and Latin American nations — have already extended recognition. Several Western allies, including France, the UK, and Canada, are preparing to follow suit.
In a recent move, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong reaffirmed her government's support for the recognition of a Palestinian state, declaring that such recognition is a matter of 'when, not if.' She warned that without urgent international action, 'there will be no Palestine left to recognize,' and called for an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian aid.
Australia is today making a further humanitarian contribution in response to the catastrophe in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/r75efGtuvA
— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) August 3, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Duhok shuts down generators as Kurdistan launches 24-hour national electricity project
Shafaq News – Duhok More than 300 private and public electricity generators have been shut down in Duhok as part of the Kurdistan Region's Ronaki Project, which aims to replace local generators with uninterrupted national grid electricity. Ismail Mohammed, the district commissioner of Duhok, told Shafaq News on Wednesday that "306 out of 417 generators, including private ones, have been switched off under the Ronaki project, which seeks to provide citizens with continuous national electricity 24 hours a day." The project has now entered its fourth phase, with only 111 generators still operating across 28 neighborhoods in the district. According to the commissioner, the Kurdistan Regional Government, in coordination with the General Directorate of Electricity and the Generator Regulation Committee in Duhok, has decided to allow the remaining generators to operate for just six more months, only for emergencies and unexpected power outages. "After this period, all remaining generators will be removed completely, officially ending the use of private generators in Duhok.' The Council of Ministers had unanimously approved the Ronaki project on May 14, mandating the Ministry of Electricity to issue the necessary implementation guidelines. In a statement, the council said the Ronaki initiative, led by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, aims to 'provide stable and permanent 24-hour electricity service to all subscribers, reduce waste and overuse, ensure fair distribution, and protect public health and the environment.' The project is to be carried out by the Ministry of Electricity in cooperation with the public sector.
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Kremlin: Constructive Putin-Witkoff Ukraine discussions
Shafaq News – Moscow Russian President Vladimir Putin held a three-hour meeting in Moscow with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss the war in Ukraine, the Kremlin stated on Wednesday. According to the Russian newspaper Kommersant, Putin's foreign policy advisor, Yuri Ushakov, described the talks as very useful and constructive, noting that they covered both the Ukrainian conflict and strategic cooperation between Russia and the United States. Ushakov also confirmed that Putin conveyed messages to US President Donald Trump during the meeting. "From our side, certain signals were delivered, especially concerning the Ukraine file, and we received corresponding signals from President Trump," he told reporters.
Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
US opposes Iraqi PMF law, warns against 'militia' participation in elections
Shafaq News – Washington The United States reaffirmed its opposition to Iraq's proposed law regulating the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), warning that the legislation undermines efforts to strengthen Iraq's sovereignty and existing security institutions. A US State Department spokesperson told Shafaq News that Washington 'strongly opposes any legislation that is inconsistent with the goals of our bilateral security assistance and partnership,' adding that the US supports 'genuine Iraqi sovereignty, not legislation that turns Iraq into an Iranian satellite state.' The proposed PMF Authority Law, currently under parliamentary debate in Baghdad, seeks to formalize the role of the PMF within Iraq's official military structure. It is backed by major Shiite factions and presented as part of Iraq's ongoing security reform process. Supporters say it is necessary to regulate the force's budget, define command responsibilities, and integrate it into the military chain of command. However, critics—both within Iraq and abroad—argue the draft would entrench the power of Iran-aligned armed factions. These groups, while operating under the PMF umbrella, have faced repeated accusations of acting independently of the Iraqi state and maintaining loyalty to Tehran. The State Department declined to comment on specific consequences should the law be passed, but warned that Washington will continue to take 'appropriate action' against financial institutions that deal with US-designated terrorist organizations. The United States has designated several factions within the PMF as terrorist groups, including Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, Kata'ib Hezbollah, Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya, and Kataib Imam Ali. The spokesperson also voiced concern over plans by some PMF-affiliated groups to contest Iraq's next round of elections, despite pledges to disarm and transition into politics. 'We remain deeply concerned about the role of Iran-aligned militia groups operating under the Popular Mobilization Forces umbrella,' the official said. 'This includes US-designated terrorist groups and affiliated members that have targeted and killed Americans.' A political source familiar with the legislative process told Shafaq News that the bill, originally scheduled for a vote during the current session, is now facing delays due to continued disagreements within Iraq's political parties, as well as within the dominant Shiite bloc over the future structure of the PMF.
