Israel's Gaza City offensive may be weeks away, leaving time for possible ceasefire
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.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu points at a map of Gaza during a press conference in Jerusalem on Sunday. Photo: Xinhua
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.
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RTHK
24 minutes ago
- RTHK
Europeans urge Trump to push for Ukraine ceasefire
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South China Morning Post
5 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Trump floats meeting with Putin and Zelensky if Alaska talks go well
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that if his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin goes well, he would like to have a quick second meeting with Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and himself. 'If the first one goes OK, we'll have a quick second one,' Trump told reporters. 'I would like to do it almost immediately, and we'll have a quick second meeting between President Putin and President Zelensky and myself, if they'd like to have me there.' Trump did not provide a time frame for a second meeting. He is to meet Putin in Anchorage, Alaska on Friday. Trump also said Russia would face consequences if Putin does not agree to stop the war. 'Yes, they will,' he said.
South China Morning Post
6 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Zelensky warns Trump that Putin is ‘bluffing' ahead of Alaska summit
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