Israel's leader claims no one in Gaza is starving. Data and witnesses disagree
images emerging of emaciated people: 'Those children look very hungry.'
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Toronto Star
an hour ago
- Toronto Star
Netanyahu defends new military offensive in Gaza and says it will be wider than announced
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday defended a new military offensive in Gaza that's more sweeping than previously announced, declaring in the face of growing condemnation at home and abroad that Israel 'has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas.' Even as more Israelis express concern over the 22-month war, Netanyahu said the security Cabinet last week instructed the dismantling of Hamas strongholds not only in Gaza City but also in the 'central camps' of Muwasi. A source familiar with the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media, confirmed that Israel plans it in both areas.
Global News
2 hours ago
- Global News
Israel defends planned military offensive in Gaza, lashes out at ‘global campaign of lies'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday sought to defend a new military offensive in one of Gaza's most populated areas amid growing condemnation at home and abroad, declaring that Israel 'has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas.' He spoke to foreign media just before an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Gaza. Notably, Netanyahu said he has directed Israel's military to 'bring in more foreign journalists' — which would be a striking development, as they haven't been allowed into Gaza beyond military embeds during 22 months of war. 'Our goal is not to occupy Gaza, our goal is to free Gaza,' Netanyahu asserted. He also rejected what he called a 'global campaign of lies' — and said Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany, one of Israel's strongest backers, had 'buckled under' by stopping exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza. Merz, for his part, told public broadcaster ARD that Germany and Israel were talking 'very critically' but Berlin's overall policies of friendship haven't changed. Story continues below advertisement 3:29 'There's nothing left to occupy': Palestinians condemn Netanyahu's decision to take control of Gaza Netanyahu said there is a 'fairly short timetable' for next steps in Gaza, but didn't give specifics. The goals, he said, include demilitarizing the territory, the Israeli military having 'overriding security control' and a non-Israeli civilian administration in charge. Netanyahu again blamed many of Gaza's problems on the Hamas militant group, including civilian deaths, destruction and aid shortages. 'Hamas still has thousands of armed terrorists,' he asserted, adding that Palestinians are 'begging' to be freed from them. The prime minister, who has asserted that there is 'no starvation in Gaza,' did acknowledge hunger, saying, 'there was a problem with deprivation, no question about it.' Israel wants to increase the number of aid distribution sites, he said. U.S. defends Israel at Security Council meeting The United States defended Israel, saying it has the right to decide what's best for its security. It called allegations of genocide in Gaza false. Story continues below advertisement The U.S. has veto power at the council and can block proposed actions there. View image in full screen Samah Matar poses for a photo with her sons Yousef, 6, in her arms, and Amir, 4, who suffer from malnutrition and cerebral palsy, at a U.N.-run school in Gaza City, Saturday, July 26, 2025. Jehad Alshrafi/ AP Photo Other council members, and U.N. officials, expressed alarm. China called the 'collective punishment' of people in Gaza unacceptable. Russia warned against a 'reckless intensification of hostilities.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'This is no longer a looming hunger crisis; this is starvation,' said Ramesh Rajasingham with the U.N. humanitarian office. 'Humanitarian conditions are beyond horrific. We have frankly run out of words to describe it.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Humanitarian conditions are beyond horrific. We have frankly run out of words to describe it." View image in full screen Holding their pots, Palestinians wait to get donated food at a community kitchen in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, June 2, 2025. Abdel Kareem Hana/ AP Photo More Palestinians killed as they seek aid At least 31 Palestinians were killed while seeking aid in Gaza, hospitals and witnesses said. Story continues below advertisement The Associated Press spoke to witnesses of gunfire in the Israeli-controlled Morag and Netzarim corridors and the Teina area in the south. All accused Israeli forces of firing at crowds as people tried to reach food distributions or waited for convoys. Fifteen people were killed while waiting for trucks near the Morag corridor that separates the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, according to Nasser hospital. The situation is a 'death trap,' said Jamal al-Laweh, who said Israeli forces opened fire there. 'But I have no other choice to feed the kids.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "But I have no other choice to feed the kids." Six were killed while waiting for aid in northern Gaza near the Zikim crossing, according to Gaza's Health Ministry and Shifa hospital. 1:05 Palestinian teenager killed by air-dropped aid pallet in Gaza In central Gaza, witnesses said they heard warning shots before fire was aimed toward crowds trying to reach a distribution site operated by the Israeli-backed and U.S.-funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. The AP could not independently confirm who fired. Awda hospital said four people were killed by Israeli gunfire. Story continues below advertisement Six other aid-seekers were killed while trying to reach GHF sites in Khan Younis and Rafah, Nasser hospital said. 2:26 Over 20 killed near Gaza aid sites amid deepening hunger crisis The GHF sites opened in May as an alternative to the U.N.-run aid system, but operations have been marred by deaths and chaos. Responding to AP inquiries, the GHF media office said: 'There were no incidents at or near our sites today and these incidents appear to be linked to crowds trying to loot aid convoy.' Israel's military said there were no incidents involving troops near central Gaza aid sites. Seven people were killed in airstrikes, local hospitals said — three near the fishermen's port in Gaza City and four, two of them children, in a tent in Khan Younis. Israel's military did not immediately comment. Hunger death toll among children hits 100 Israel's air and ground offensive has displaced most Palestinians and pushed the territory toward famine. Story continues below advertisement Two Palestinian children died of malnutrition-related causes on Saturday, bringing the toll among children to 100 since the war began. At least 117 adults have died of malnutrition-related causes since June, when the ministry started to count them. The hunger toll is in addition to the ministry's war toll of 61,400 Palestinians. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, doesn't distinguish between fighters or civilians, but says around half of the dead have been women and children. View image in full screen Omniya Mahra, holds shirtless for a photo her sons Oday, 4, left, and Mohammed, 3, who suffer from malnutrition and a genetic nerve disorder, at the Friends of the Patient Hospital in Gaza City, Tuesday, July 29, 2025. AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi The U.N. and independent experts consider it the most reliable source on war casualties. Story continues below advertisement Labor strike urged in Israel over looming offensive Hostages' relatives urged a labor strike in Israel next week over the plans to expand military operations in Gaza City, fearing it will endanger their loved ones. Fifty hostages remain after being taken in the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023, that sparked the war. Twenty are believed to be alive. Lishay Miran-Lavi, whose husband, Omri, is among the hostages, appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump and special envoy Steve Witkoff to halt the fighting. Also Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz toured part of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where about 40,000 Palestinians have been driven from their homes this year in the West Bank's largest displacement since Israel captured the territory in 1967. Israel says the operations are needed to stamp out militancy, as violence by all sides has surged since the war in Gaza began. Katz said the military would remain in the area's refugee camps at least until the end of the year. Shurafa reported from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, and Magdy from Cairo. Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel; Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed.
Toronto Sun
3 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Demonstrators seeking release of Gaza hostages march in London as Middle East tensions grip U.K.
Published Aug 10, 2025 • 2 minute read Demonstrators hold placards as they take part in the March for Hostages to Downing Street, in London, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025. Photo by Alberto Pezzali / AP LONDON (AP) — Demonstrators seeking the release of Israeli hostages marched in central London on Sunday as the war in Gaza continues to inflame tensions across the United Kingdom. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The protesters, who plan to march to the prime minister's residence for a rally, include Noga Guttman, a cousin of 24-year-old hostage Evyatar David, who was featured in a video that enraged Israelis when it was released by Hamas militants last week. The video showed an emaciated David saying he was digging his own grave inside a tunnel in Gaza. Hamas-led militants kidnapped 251 people when they attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Some 50 of the hostages still haven't been released, of whom 20 are thought to be alive. Israel last week announced its intention to occupy Gaza City as part of a plan to end the war and bring the captives home. Family members and many international leaders have condemned the plan, saying it would lead to more bloodshed and endanger the hostages. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We are united in one clear and urgent demand: the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages,' Stop the Hate, a coalition of groups organizing the march, said in a statement. 'Regardless of our diverse political views, this is not a political issue — it is a human one.' The march comes a day after police arrested 532 people at a protest in support of a banned pro-Palestinian organization. The demonstrators on Saturday sought to pressure the government to overturn its decision to ban the group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization. Legislation passed last month makes it a crime to publicly support the group. The Metropolitan Police Service said it arrested 522 people for supporting Palestine Action. A further 10 were arrested on other charges, including assaults on police officers. The government banned Palestine Action after activists broke into a Royal Air Force base and damaged two tanker planes to protest British support for the war in Gaza. Palestine Action had previously targeted Israeli defense contractors and other sites in Britain that they believe have links with the Israeli military. Supporters of Palestine Action are challenging the ban in court, saying the government has gone too far in declaring a direct action group a terrorist organization. Columnists Columnists Canada Sports Toronto & GTA
