UN sounds alarm over possible full Israeli takeover of Gaza
Netanyahu was expected to meet senior security officials, including Defence Minister Israel Katz and military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, to finalise a new strategy for Cabinet consideration later this week, an Israeli official told Reuters. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a close confidant of Netanyahu, would also attend.
The reported strategy would reverse a 2005 decision to withdraw settlers and troops from Gaza while retaining control of its borders, a move that Israeli right-wing parties blame for enabling Hamas to gain power in the enclave.
Israeli Channel 12, citing an official in Netanyahu's office, said the prime minister was leaning towards full control of the enclave. However, it remains unclear whether this would mean a long-term occupation or a limited operation to dismantle Hamas and rescue hostages. The prime minister's office declined to comment.
'It is still necessary to complete the defeat of the enemy in Gaza, release our hostages and ensure that Gaza never again constitutes a threat to Israel,' Netanyahu said on Tuesday at a military base. 'We are not giving up on any of these missions.'
Mediation efforts have broken down despite sustained international pressure for a ceasefire to halt the fighting, ease hunger and address worsening humanitarian conditions.
Gaza's health ministry said eight more people had died of starvation or malnutrition in the last 24 hours, while 79 others were killed in the latest Israeli fire. Palestinian authorities say more than 61,000 people have been killed in the conflict, most of them civilians.
UNITED NATIONS ALARMED BY REPORTS OF EXPANSION
The United Nations on Tuesday called reports about a possible decision to expand Israel's military operations throughout the Gaza Strip "deeply alarming" if true.
UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca told a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Gaza that such a move "would risk catastrophic consequences ... and could further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza."
"International law is clear in the regard; Gaza is and must remain an integral part of the future Palestinian state," he added.
The conflict was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on Oct 7, 2023, when militants crossed into Israel from Gaza, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and seizing 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures.
Israel's military response has devastated the densely populated enclave, with more than 61,000 people killed, most of them civilians, according to Palestinian health authorities. Nearly all of Gaza's over 2 million residents have been forced from their homes, and a global hunger monitor last week described the situation as an unfolding famine.
Gaza health authorities said on Tuesday that 188 people, including 94 children, have died from hunger since the war began. Eight more deaths from starvation or malnutrition were recorded in the past 24 hours. An Israeli security official acknowledged there may be hunger in some areas but rejected reports of famine.
The hunger crisis has drawn international outrage, while the collapse of ceasefire negotiations has dashed hopes for immediate relief. On Tuesday, Israeli strikes killed another 79 Palestinians, the health ministry said.
HOSTAGE VIDEO SPARKS OUTRAGE
On Saturday, Hamas released a video showing Evyatar David, one of 50 hostages still held in Gaza, appearing gaunt and pale in what looked like an underground tunnel. The footage shocked the Israeli public and drew condemnation abroad.
Israeli officials estimate 20 of the remaining hostages are still alive. Most captives were released during earlier truces negotiated with international backing. Israel broke the last ceasefire.
A senior Palestinian official told Reuters the threat of a full Gaza takeover could be a pressure tactic aimed at forcing Hamas to make concessions. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry urged the international community to treat the possibility seriously and act to prevent it.
TANK PUSH
Israeli tanks pushed into central Gaza earlier on Tuesday, but it was unclear whether this was part of a broader ground offensive.
Palestinians in the remaining quarter of Gaza where Israel has yet to assert full control said any further incursion would be catastrophic.
"If the tanks pushed through, where would we go, into the sea? This will be like a death sentence to the entire population," said Abu Jehad, a Gaza wood merchant, who asked not to be named in full.
A Palestinian official close to the negotiations said the threat of a full takeover may be an Israeli tactic to pressure Hamas into concessions.
"It will only complicate the negotiation further. In the end, the resistance factions will not accept less than an end to the war and a full withdrawal from Gaza," the official said.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry urged the international community to take reports of an Israeli takeover seriously and to intervene urgently to prevent such plans, regardless of whether they are genuine or a pressure tactic.
Despite the deepening crisis, some goods have reportedly entered Gaza. A source told Reuters that trucks carrying chocolates and biscuits had been allowed in for a local merchant. It is hoped that essential items such as children's milk, meat, fruit, sugar and rice will also be permitted soon, which could ease shortages and lower soaring prices.
The United States' Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said last week he was working with the Israeli government on a plan that could end the conflict. However, Israeli officials have also floated proposals to expand the military campaign and potentially annex parts of Gaza.
The failed ceasefire talks in Doha had aimed to secure a 60-day truce, during which aid would be flown in and Hamas would release half of the hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Stanford student newspaper sues Trump administration for alleged free speech violations
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: The Hoover Tower rises above Stanford University in this aerial photo in Stanford, California, U.S. on January 13, 2017. Picture taken January 13, 2017. REUTERS/Noah Berger/File Photo Stanford University's student newspaper sued the Trump Administration on Wednesday, arguing it has violated the free-speech rights of foreign students by threatening to deport them for writing stories that it considers "anti-American or anti-Israel." The Stanford Daily and two unidentified students said in the lawsuit, filed in federal court in California against Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, that foreign students at the Palo Alto, California, school have refused to write about the conflict in the Middle East for fear they could be arrested, detained and deported. "This pall of fear is incompatible with American liberty," the lawsuit said. "Our First Amendment stands as a bulwark against the government infringing the inalienable human right to think and speak for yourself." Spokespeople for the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "In the United States of America, no one should fear a midnight knock on the door for voicing the wrong opinion,' Stanford Daily attorney Conor Fitzpatrick said in a statement. A spokesperson for Stanford University said the newspaper is an independent organization and that the school is not part of the lawsuit. The Trump administration has attempted to deport students who have expressed pro-Palestinian views, calling them antisemitic and extremist sympathizers whose presence in the country was adverse to U.S. foreign policy. Protesters say that the government wrongly conflates their criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza and advocacy for Palestinian rights with antisemitism and extremism. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Some ageing condos in Singapore struggle with failing infrastructure, inadequate sinking funds World Trump eyes 100% chips tariff, but 0% for US investors like Apple World White House says Trump open to meeting Russia's Putin and Ukraine's Zelensky Singapore MRT track issue causes 5-hour delay; Jeffrey Siow says 'we can and will do better' Singapore ST Explains: What is a track point fault and why does it cause lengthy train disruptions? Singapore ST and Uniqlo launch design contest for Singapore stories T-shirt collection Asia Malaysia plans barrierless toll system modelled after Singapore's ERP Singapore S'pore and Indonesia have discussed jointly developing military training facilities: Chan Chun Sing Judges have ordered the release of some students who the administration arrested and detained without being charged with a crime. The Stanford Daily said in its lawsuit that the administration has caused its foreign writers to self-censor to avoid being targeted. It argued that the administration's threats prevent them from "engaging in protected expression like attending protests, using certain slogans, and publicly voicing their true views about American foreign policy, Israel, and Palestine." The newspaper asked the court to rule that the U.S. Constitution prevents the government from deporting non-citizens for engaging in free speech. REUTERS
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Stanford student newspaper sues Trump administration for alleged free speech violation
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A spokesperson for Stanford University said the newspaper is an independent organisation and that the school is not part of the lawsuit. PALO ALTO - Stanford University's student newspaper sued the Trump Administration on Aug 6, arguing it has violated the free-speech rights of foreign students by threatening to deport them for writing stories that it considers 'anti-American or anti-Israel'. The Stanford Daily and two unidentified students said in the lawsuit, filed in federal court in California against Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, that foreign students at the Palo Alto, California, school have refused to write about the conflict in the Middle East for fear they could be arrested, detained and deported. 'This pall of fear is incompatible with American liberty,' the lawsuit said. 'Our First Amendment stands as a bulwark against the government infringing the inalienable human right to think and speak for yourself.' The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 'In the United States of America, no one should fear a midnight knock on the door for voicing the wrong opinion,' Stanford Daily attorney Conor Fitzpatrick said in a statement. A spokesperson for Stanford University said the newspaper is an independent organisation and that the school is not part of the lawsuit. The Trump administration has attempted to deport students who have expressed pro-Palestinian views, calling them antisemitic and extremist sympathisers whose presence in the country was adverse to US foreign policy. Protesters say that the government wrongly conflates their criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza and advocacy for Palestinian rights with antisemitism and extremism. Judges have ordered the release of some students who the administration arrested and detained without being charged with a crime. The Stanford Daily said in its lawsuit that the administration has caused its foreign writers to self-censor to avoid being targeted. It argued that the administration's threats prevent them from 'engaging in protected expression like attending protests, using certain slogans, and publicly voicing their true views about American foreign policy, Israel, and Palestine'. The newspaper asked the court to rule that the US Constitution prevents the government from deporting non-citizens for engaging in free speech. REUTERS
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
UCLA says Trump administration froze $750 million of its federal funding
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The US government alleges universities, including UCLA, allowed antisemitism during the protests. WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump's administration has frozen $584 million (S$750 million) in federal funding for the University of California, Los Angeles, UCLA said on Aug 6 after the government reprimanded the university over pro-Palestinian protests. The Trump administration has threatened to cut federal funds for universities over pro-Palestinian protests against US ally Israel's war in Gaza. The government alleges universities, including UCLA, allowed antisemitism during the protests. Large demonstrations took place at UCLA in 2024 . Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say the government wrongly equates their criticism of Israel's military assault in Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories with antisemitism, and their advocacy for Palestinian rights with support for extremism. 'Currently, a total of approximately US$584 million in extramural award funding is suspended and at risk,' UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk said in an update on the university website. The Los Angeles Times reported UCLA leaders were preparing to negotiate with the government over the freeze. The White House had no immediate response to a request for comment. Last week, the university agreed to pay over US$6 million to settle a lawsuit by some students and a professor who alleged antisemitism. It was also sued earlier this year over a 2024 attack on pro-Palestinian protesters at the height of the US campus protest movement. The government has in recent weeks settled its probes with Columbia University, which agreed to pay over US$220 million, and Brown University, which said it will pay US$50 million. Both institutions accepted certain government demands. Talks to settle with Harvard University are ongoing. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Some ageing condos in Singapore struggle with failing infrastructure, inadequate sinking funds World Trump eyes 100% chips tariff, but 0% for US investors like Apple World White House says Trump open to meeting Russia's Putin and Ukraine's Zelensky Singapore MRT track issue causes 5-hour delay; Jeffrey Siow says 'we can and will do better' Singapore ST Explains: What is a track point fault and why does it cause lengthy train disruptions? Singapore ST and Uniqlo launch design contest for Singapore stories T-shirt collection Asia Malaysia plans barrierless toll system modelled after Singapore's ERP Singapore S'pore and Indonesia have discussed jointly developing military training facilities: Chan Chun Sing Rights advocates have raised concerns about academic freedom and free speech. The government has also attempted to deport foreign student protesters but faced judicial roadblocks. Stanford University's student-run newspaper sued the Trump administration on Aug 6 , saying student writers were censoring themselves and turning down assignments related to Gaza to avoid being targeted for deportation. REUTERS
