Israel's Gaza City offensive may be weeks away, leaving time for ceasefire
JERUSALEM - Israel's new offensive in Gaza City could take weeks to start, leaving the door open for a ceasefire, officials say, even as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it would get underway "fairly quickly" and end the war with Hamas' defeat.
Two officials who were at a security cabinet meeting on Thursday to approve the plan told Reuters that the evacuation of civilians from affected areas may only be completed by the start of October, giving time for a deal to be pursued.
The plan raised international alarm over the harm it could bring to the shattered enclave, where a hunger crisis has worsened. On Sunday, Netanyahu summoned foreign journalists to explain the blueprint, which includes what he described as a surge of humanitarian aid.
Netanyahu said that Israel will first allow civilians to leave the battle zones before forces move in on Gaza City, which he described as one of Hamas' last two remaining strongholds, whose defeat will bring an end to the war.
But Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a security cabinet member who has demanded even tougher action, said the plan was designed to pressure Hamas back to the negotiating table, rather than defeat the group and urged Netanyahu to scrap it.
Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas over a U.S. proposal for a 60-day ceasefire that would have included the release of half the hostages still in Gaza ended last month in a deadlock, with major gaps still between both sides.
The mediators, Egypt and Qatar, have not given up on reviving negotiations, according to an Arab diplomat who said Israel's decision to broadcast its new Gaza City offensive plan may not be a bluff, but it also serves to bring Hamas back to the negotiating table.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Business Lower-wage retail workers to receive up to 6% pay bump from Sept 1
Singapore Keppel to sell M1's telco business to Simba for $1.43b, says deal expected to benefit consumers
Singapore ST Explains: Who owns Simba, the company that is buying M1?
Singapore Telco price undercutting expected to subside after sale of M1 to Simba: Analysts
Singapore ST Explains: What is Vers and which HDB estates could it be rolled out in?
Singapore For Vers to work, compensation should account for varied needs of HDB flat owners: Observers
World US military is preparing to deploy National Guard in Washington, DC, official says
Singapore Ong Ye Kung rebuts complaints about treatment of stallholders at Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre
The diplomat said that there was a new willingness from Hamas to engage in constructive talks toward a ceasefire after they had seen Netanyahu's seriousness about taking all of Gaza.
Senior Hamas official Basem Naim said the group had informed the mediators that it was still interested in reaching a ceasefire deal.
Netanyahu has not ruled out eventually opting for a deal. A source close to the prime minister said that if a relevant proposal were to emerge, it would be brought before Israel's security cabinet.
Asked on Sunday whether he would halt the new offensive in favour of a ceasefire, Netanyahu publicly took a tougher stance.
"We are aiming for the release of all the 20 (living hostages) with the goal of defeating Hamas. We were talking about a partial deal, we went for a partial deal but we were led astray," he said. "We are going to destroy Hamas, we are not stopping, we are advancing," he added.
'DEATH TRAP'
He also said he had instructed the Israeli military to speed up its plans for the new offensive.
"I want to end the war as quickly as possible and that is why I have instructed the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) to shorten the schedule for seizing control of Gaza City," he said. The timeline, he said, was "fairly quickly".
But the plans laid out at the security cabinet on Thursday could take around five months to complete, according to the two officials present at the meeting.
Netanyahu's remarks on Gaza City being the last bastion whose downfall would hasten Hamas' defeat echoed statements ahead of another offensive, in southern Gaza, more than a year ago.
In April 2024, during a previous round of failed ceasefire negotiations, Netanyahu vowed to press on with a long promised assault in Rafah that would achieve "total victory" after tackling Hamas' last remaining brigade there.
Israel moved on Rafah in May 2024, as hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled the area. The group's leader and mastermind of the 2023 attack that triggered the war, Yahya Sinwar, was killed by Israeli forces there around five months later.
But even with its top leaders dead and fighters long reduced to a guerilla force scattered among the ruins of Gaza, Netanyahu faces scepticism over the new plan - including from his military chief who called it a death trap - and of any hopes that it will end the war soon.
"This move is a danger to Israel and its security and it is pointless," said Israel's opposition leader Yair Lapid. "The hostages will die, soldiers will die, the economy will fall apart and Israel's international standing will crumble." REUTERS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
New Zealand prime minister says Israel's Netanyahu has 'lost the plot'
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon attends a press conference with Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese(not pictured) at the Australian Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, August 16, 2024. REUTERS/Tracey Nearmy/File Photo New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Wednesday that Israel's leader Benjamin Netanyahu had 'lost the plot' as the country weighs up whether to recognise a Palestinian state. Luxon told reporters that the lack of humanitarian assistance, the forceful displacement of people and the annexation of Gaza were utterly appalling and that Netanyahu had gone way too far. "I think he has lost the plot," added Luxon, who heads the centre-right coalition government. "What we are seeing overnight, the attack on Gaza City, is utterly, utterly unacceptable." Luxon said earlier this week New Zealand was considering whether to recognise a Palestinian state. Close ally Australia on Monday joined Canada, the UK and France in announcing it would do so at a U.N. conference in September. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached "unimaginable levels", Britain, Canada, Australia and several of their European allies said on Tuesday, calling on Israel to allow unrestricted aid into the war-torn Palestinian enclave. Israel has denied responsibility for hunger spreading in Gaza, accusing Hamas militants of stealing aid shipments, which Hamas denies. Ahead of Wednesday's parliamentary session, a small number of protesters gathered outside the country's parliament buildings, beating pots and pans. Local media organisation Stuff reported protesters chanted 'MPs grow a spine, recognise Palestine.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Singapore banks face headwinds in rest of 2025, but DBS is pulling ahead: Analysts Asia Southern Taiwan shuts down ahead of Typhoon Podul's arrival, hundreds of flights cancelled Business Singtel Q1 profit soars 317.4% to $2.9 billion on exceptional gains of $2.2 billion Asia Diamonds, watches and shoes: Luxury items at heart of probe into South Korea's former first lady World AI eroded doctors' ability to spot cancer within months in Lancet study Singapore Yishun man admits to making etomidate-laced pods for vaporisers; first Kpod case conviction Sport New Hui Fen becomes first Singaporean bowler to win PWBA Tour Player of the Year Singapore SG60: Many hands behind Singapore's success story On Tuesday, Greens parliamentarian Chloe Swarbrick was removed from parliament's debating chamber after she refused to apologise for a comment insinuating government politicians were spineless for not supporting a bill to 'sanction Israel for its war crimes." Swarbrick was ordered to leave the debating chamber for a second day on Wednesday after she again refused to apologise. When she refused to leave, the government voted to suspend her. 'Sixty-eight members of this House were accused of being spineless," House speaker Gerry Brownlee said. "There has never been a time where personal insults like that delivered inside a speech were accepted by this House and I'm not going to start accepting it." As Swarbrick left, she called out 'free Palestine.' REUTERS
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
New Zealand PM Luxon says Israel's Netanyahu has ‘lost the plot'
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon had earlier said New Zealand was considering whether to recognise a Palestinian state. WELLINGTON – New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Aug 13 that Israel's leader Benjamin Netanyahu had 'lost the plot' as the country weighs up whether to recognise a Palestinian state . Mr Luxon told reporters that the lack of humanitarian assistance, the forceful displacement of people and the annexation of Gaza were utterly appalling and that Mr Netanyahu had gone way too far. 'I think he has lost the plot,' added Mr Luxon, who heads the centre-right coalition government. 'What we are seeing overnight, the attack on Gaza City, is utterly, utterly unacceptable.' Mr Luxon said earlier this week New Zealand was considering whether to recognise a Palestinian state. Close ally Australia on Aug 11 joined Canada, the UK and France in announcing it would do so at a UN conference in September. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached 'unimaginable levels', Britain, Canada, Australia and several of their European allies said on Aug 12, calling on Israel to allow unrestricted aid into the war-torn Palestinian enclave. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Singapore banks face headwinds in rest of 2025, but DBS is pulling ahead: Analysts Asia Southern Taiwan shuts down ahead of Typhoon Podul's arrival, hundreds of flights cancelled Business Singtel Q1 profit soars 317.4% to $2.9 billion on exceptional gains of $2.2 billion Asia Diamonds, watches and shoes: Luxury items at heart of probe into South Korea's former first lady World AI eroded doctors' ability to spot cancer within months in Lancet study Singapore Yishun man admits to making etomidate-laced pods for vaporisers; first Kpod case conviction Sport New Hui Fen becomes first Singaporean bowler to win PWBA Tour Player of the Year Singapore SG60: Many hands behind Singapore's success story Israel has denied responsibility for hunger spreading in Gaza, accusing Hamas militants of stealing aid shipments, which Hamas denies. Ahead of an Aug 13 parliamentary session, a small number of protesters gathered outside the country's Parliament buildings, beating pots and pans. Local media organisation Stuff reported protesters chanted 'MPs grow a spine, recognise Palestine'. On Aug 12, Greens parliamentarian Chloe Swarbrick was removed from Parliament's debating chamber after she refused to apologise for a comment insinuating government politicians were spineless for not supporting a Bill to 'sanction Israel for its war crimes'. Ms Swarbrick was ordered to leave the debating chamber for a second day on Aug 13 after she again refused to apologise. When she refused to leave, the government voted to suspend her. 'Sixty-eight members of this House were accused of being spineless,' House speaker Gerry Brownlee said. 'There has never been a time where personal insults like that delivered inside a speech were accepted by this House and I'm not going to start accepting it.' As Ms Swarbrick left, she called out 'free Palestine'. REUTERS
AsiaOne
2 hours ago
- AsiaOne
Mothers of Gaza hostages fear Israeli offensive will endanger their sons, World News
GENEVA — Mothers of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, including one who appeared emaciated in a recent Hamas video, voiced fears on Tuesday (Aug 12) that a planned Israeli offensive could further endanger their sons' lives due to the risk of reprisals. Israel plans a much-criticised new Gaza offensive to take control of Gaza City in the almost two-year-old war against Palestinian militant group Hamas. Bombardment of the city is underway but the timing of the full offensive is uncertain and efforts to salvage a ceasefire continue. "When I heard that our government intends to extend the war in Gaza, I as a mother am afraid, because we know that Hamas gives commands... to kill the hostages whenever (our military) is getting close to them," said Viki Cohen, the mother of Nimrod Cohen, an Israeli soldier who was captured by Hamas during the deadly Oct 7, 2023 cross-border attacks. Cohen, who is in Geneva alongside other hostages' mothers to appeal to the International Committee of the Red Cross to help them, called instead for a deal for their release. "We must do everything to take them out from there," she said, holding up a photo of her now 21-year-old son, with his two previous ages since his captivity crossed out. Galia David, the mother of Evyatar David who appeared skeleton-like in a Hamas video this month where he was seen digging what he described as his own grave, said she was "really afraid" ahead of the offensive. "We know from hostages who were released that there are hard stories, that they are even more evil with them when there is fighting," she told reporters. She said she also worries that her son could die of starvation within days — a fear shared by Cohen's mother. Malnutrition rates and hunger-related deaths are rising in Gaza, humanitarian groups say, amid Israeli restrictions on aid. Israel denies responsibility for spreading hunger in Gaza, accusing Hamas of stealing aid, which Hamas denies. Of the original 251 hostages captured by Hamas, around 50 hostages remain in Gaza, of whom about 20 are thought to still be alive. Hamas has repeatedly denied abuse of the hostages and said Israel is starving the whole population in Gaza, including the hostages and their captors. [[nid:721296]]
