Netanyahu pushing 'military solution' to free hostages: Source
Netanyahu has suggested expanding the Israeli military operation in Gaza and using military force to extract the final hostages who have been in captivity since being kidnapped in the Oct. 7, 2023, surprise attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists.
It is believed there are about 20 living hostages still being held by Hamas.
The Israeli official told ABC News that Israel and U.S. officials are in constant dialogue.
The official said there is a growing understanding on the Israeli side that Hamas is not interested in a deal on the hostages.
"Therefore, Prime Minister Netanyahu is pushing to expand military operations to release the hostages through a military solution," the Israeli official said.
On Saturday, thousands of protesters filled the streets of Tel Aviv, demanding their government end the war and bring the last hostages home.
"They are on the absolute brink of death," Ilay David, whose brother, Evyatar David, is believed to be among the remaining Israeli hostages being held by Hamas, told protesters gathered in Tel Aviv. "In the current unimaginable condition, they may have only days left to live.
MORE: 28 countries sign statement calling for end of war in Gaza
Hamas released a video over the weekend showing Evyatar David looking painfully emaciated.
The protest erupted hours after Steve Witcoff, Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, met in Israel with the families of hostages still in captivity.
As global concern over the hunger crisis in Gaza intensifies, Witkoff and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee traveled to the Middle East on Friday to inspect the U.S. and Israel-backed aid distribution system there.
MORE: Timeline of Israel's actions in Gaza after end of ceasefire with Hamas
For months, humanitarian aid organizations and international bodies have warned that Gaza is facing "critical" levels of hunger and that famine is "imminent" in parts of the Gaza Strip.
An increasing number of deaths due to malnutrition have also been reported, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health.
At least 175 people, including 93 children, have died from malnutrition in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Throughout the conflict, Israel has maintained that it is sending enough aid into Gaza, but international aid organizations have repeatedly said there is not enough aid, and the United Nations has reported conditions of malnutrition inside Gaza.
The Israeli source who spoke to ABC News said humanitarian aid will continue to enter Gaza in areas outside combat zones and areas no longer controlled by Hamas.
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The Hill
30 minutes ago
- The Hill
Former Israeli security officials call to end the war in Gaza as Netanyahu hints at a new stage
JERUSALEM (AP) — Former Israeli army and intelligence chiefs called for an end to the war in Gaza as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted at further military action and Israel's government plotted its next move in the devastated territory. On the ground in Gaza, health officials reported new deaths Tuesday of Palestinians seeking food at distribution points. The Israeli defense body coordinating aid to Gaza announced a new deal with local merchants to improve aid deliveries as desperation mounts. The former security officials speaking out included those who led Israel's Shin Bet internal security service, Mossad spy agency and the Israeli military. In a roughly three-minute video posted to social media this week, they demanded an end to the war and said the far-right members of the government are holding the country 'hostage' in prolonging the conflict. 'This is leading the state of Israel to the loss of its security and its identity,' Ami Ayalon, former head of Shin Bet, said in the footage. Yoram Cohen, former head of Shin Bet, called Netanyahu's objectives 'a fantasy.' 'If anyone imagines that we can reach every terrorist and every pit and every weapon and in parallel bring our hostages home — I think it is impossible,' he said. Next stage of the war Netanyahu, meanwhile, announced Monday that he would convene his Security Cabinet in the coming days to direct the army on the next stage of the war, hinting that even tougher military action was an option in Gaza. Netanyahu said he remained committed to achieving his war objectives, including defeating Hamas, releasing all hostages and ensuring Gaza never again threatens Israel. Israeli media said the meeting was expected Tuesday, with disagreements between Netanyahu and the army chief, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, on how to proceed. The reports, citing anonymous officials in Netanyahu's office, said the prime minister was pushing the army, which already controls about three quarters of Gaza, to conquer the entire territory, a step that could endanger the hostages, deepen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and further isolate Israel internationally. Various reports have said Zamir opposes this step and could step down or be pushed out if it is approved. Aid through local merchants Several hundred Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since May while heading toward food distribution sites, airdropped parcels and aid convoys in the Gaza Strip, according to witnesses, local health officials and the United Nations human rights office. The Israeli military says it only has fired warning shots and disputes the toll. The Israeli defense body in charge of coordinating aid to Gaza, called COGAT, wrote on social platform X that there will be a 'gradual and controlled renewal of the entry of goods through the private sector in Gaza.' 'This aims to increase the volume of aid entering the Gaza Strip, while reducing reliance on aid collection by the U.N. and international organizations,' it said Tuesday. A limited number of local merchants were approved for the plan and will sell basic food products, baby food, fruits and vegetables and hygiene supplies through bank transfers, COGAT said. 'Stained with humiliation and blood' Thousands of Palestinians crowded against aid trucks entering the Gaza Strip through the southern Morag corridor Monday attempting to get whatever food they could during a protracted food shortage across the enclave. Mohammed Qassas from Khan Younis in southern Gaza said his children are so hungry that he is forced to storm aid trucks. 'I have young children, how am I supposed to feed them? No one has mercy. This resembles the end of the world,' he said. 'If we fight, we get the food. If we don't fight, we don't get anything.' As the trucks drove away, men climbed onto them, scrambling for any remaining scraps. 'The conditions are very challenging and we are hoping for a system to be in place,' Qassas said. 'Some people go home with some 200 kilograms (441 pounds), and others go home with only one kilogram (35 ounces). It is a mafia-like system.' After relentless efforts to get food from the trucks, it has become a routine for men to be seen coming back carrying flour sacks on their back, as well as carrying wounded and dead bodies from near the aid sites. Yusif Abu Mor from Khan Younis said the trucks' aid system is akin to a death trap. 'This aid is stained with humiliation and blood,' he said, adding that aid seekers run the risk of being killed by shootings or run over by aid trucks surrounded by crowds of hungry Palestinians. Slide toward famine Israel's blockade and military offensive have made it nearly impossible to safely deliver aid, contributing to the territory's slide toward famine nearly 22 months into the war with Hamas. Aid groups say Israel's week-old measures to allow more aid in are far from sufficient. Families of hostages in Gaza fear starvation affects them too, but blame Hamas. As international alarm has mounted, several countries have airdropped aid over Gaza. The U.N. and aid groups call such drops costly and dangerous for residents, and say they deliver far less aid than trucks.
San Francisco Chronicle
30 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Letters: Being called ‘Jew' offends me. Should it be banned? Who gets to decide?
Regarding 'Trump wants to 'Make Indians Great Again' — by bringing back slurs to a school gymnasium near you' (Open Forum, July 28): Who determines what's offensive? A Washington Post op-ed says 'Jew' is fine, and the Chronicle uses it commonly. I'm Jewish, and I find that offensive. I was called 'that Jew boy' growing up. Is it OK for people of color to use the N-word all the time? Roosevelt Drive may be offensive to Japanese Americans because they had family members who were imprisoned under President Franklin D. Roosevelt's order during World War II. There are so many names offensive to one person and not another. Where does it stop? Maybe just give everything a digital address. James Sandler, Pleasanton Defend higher education By structuring success for immigrants, low-income youth and other underrepresented young people, universities help to build an educated populace. What do all of us have to gain from investment in forward thinking like this? Hopeful, engaged and skillful people in our communities. The institutions and programs now under attack are those that build the capacity of students while spreading affirmative energy into all our lives. When young people in our community achieve and thrive, we are all uplifted and enriched. Shirl Buss, San Rafael Stop the blame game Unfortunately, many of them declare Hamas responsible for Israel's war tactics. Could Hamas really end Israel's siege by releasing the hostages or by surrendering power? Maybe. Maybe Ukraine could end Russia's invasion by severing its alliances with the West. Maybe if Israel had ceased its decades of occupation and violence against Palestinians before 2023, Hamas would not have initiated the Oct. 7 attack. True or not, this kind of victim-blaming is unseemly. We should hold perpetrators of violence — including U.S. and Israeli leaders — responsible for their own actions. Jewish groups blaming Hamas for Israel's campaign of mass murder only succeed in making Jews look grotesque. Harry Chomsky, Albany Tariffs don't add up Let's do the math. U.S. imports of goods in 2024 were $3.3 trillion. A 15% overall tariff would bring in $495 billion. U.S. consumers will pay this tab, not corporations. There were 340 million people in the U.S. in 2024. That's $1,455 per person. The tariffs are a tax on consumers. Low-wage earners spend all their income on goods and services. The investor class spends a small portion of their income on goods and services. Who then benefits the most? Think about it. Barry Shiller, San Francisco Rethink MAGA support Regarding 'Why S.F.'s Democratic sheriff endorsed a MAGA supporter for California governor' (Joe Garofoli, Aug. 1): Perhaps San Francisco Sheriff Paul Miyamoto should take a good look in the mirror. He and I are subject to being detained and relocated under the Trump administration, just as his Japanese American ancestors were during World War II. Vickie Downey, Corning Group won't capitulate The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists announced Aug. 1 that it would no longer accept any federal dollars to support its programs because of the Trump administration's policies, particularly those regarding diversity, equity and inclusiveness. According to the group, DEI is integral to its mission. I am so proud that my professional organization has taken this stand. I hope that other professional organizations will be brave enough to follow its lead.
NBC News
32 minutes ago
- NBC News
Israel's Netanyahu expected to push for plan to 'occupy' Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to push to "occupy all of the Gaza Strip" as ceasefire talks with Hamas founder and the hunger crisis in the besieged Palestinian enclave spirals. A bid by Netanyahu to occupy all of Gaza would follow similar calls from members of his far-right government upon whom his fragile coalition relies, and could mark a significant shift in policy since Israel withdrew from the territory in 2005. Officials from Netanyahu's office said in a statement shared with NBC News on Monday night that the Israeli leader had decided to "occupyall of the Gaza Strip, including areas where hostages may be held." The statement was shared in Hebrew and the term used can be translated to mean both "occupy" and "conquer." Netanyahu's office did not immediately respond to a request for clarification on the intended definition, but Israeli media, including The Times of Israel, reported that Netanyahu intended to "fully occupy" the enclave. Israeli media reported that Netanyahu would hold a limited security meeting on Tuesday to discuss the future of Israel's campaign in Gaza. Netanyahu had said Monday he planned to convene the security cabinet this week to "instruct" the Israeli military on how to achieve the three war objectives laid out at the start of Israel's offensive in Gaza: defeating Hamas, seeing the release of hostages who remain held in the enclave and removing the threat of possible future attacks. Asked to confirm if the meeting would take place Tuesday, his office did not respond directly and referred NBC News to his comments Monday. While the Hamas-led attacks of Oct. 7, 2023 that left 1,200 dead and saw 250 taken hostages garnered worldwide sympathy for Israel, the country's actions in the territory have since sparked widespread international outrage. The U.S. remains the biggest supplier of arms to Israel, with American spending on Israel's military operations reaching more than $17.9 billion from Oct. 7 last year to Sept. 30, according to Brown University's Costs of War Project. There has been growing global alarm over Israel's actions in the enclave amid a hunger crisis caused by the offensive and strict restrictions on the entry of aid, marked by mounting deaths from starvation. The 'worst-case scenario of famine ' is unfolding in the Gaza Strip under Israel's assault, the world's leading body on hunger said last week. Meanwhile, most of its residents have been driven from their homes and more than 60,900 killed, including thousands of children, according to local health officials. Nearly 190 people in Gaza, including at least 94 children, have died from malnutrition since the war began, according to the Palestinian health ministry in Gaza. There is mounting opposition to the war among Israelis. Many have long despaired over the fate of of the estimated 20 living hostages remaining in Gaza, and recent protests have expressed outrage over the children dying from malnutrition. Fears for the hostages were also fueled after Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad released imagery in recent days showing visibly gaunt Israeli hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski. Earlier this month, a group representing hundreds of retired Israeli security officials that calls itself the Commanders for Israel's Security's leadership addressed a letter to President Donald Trump calling on him to pressure Israel to end the war. In the letter, which was confirmed to NBC News, the group said it was their professional judgment that Hamas no longer posed a strategic threat — and that it was time to 'end the war, return the hostages' and 'stop the suffering.' While the reoccupation of Gaza is largely unpopular with the Israeli public, it is supported on the far right. Over the weekend, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for Israel to "conquer" Gaza to and to encourage Palestinians to leave the enclave. Ben-Gvir drew condemnation not only for his comments, but also for leading a group of worshippers in prayer at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, known to Jews as Temple Mount, violating a decades-old agreement allowing Jews to visit to Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site but not to worship there. Ben-Gvir has repeatedly called for Israel to "conquer" Gaza, and called for rebuilding of Israeli settlements there alongside other right-wing ministers, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Israel captured the Gaza Strip, then occupied by Egypt, after the 1967 war, but withdrew settlers — some of them forcefully — in 2005. In 2006, residents elected Islamist militant and political group Hamas in legislative elections, precipitating clashes with more secular Palestinian faction of Fatah. Hamas seized full control of the enclave in 2007.
