Syria's defence ministry and Kurdish-led SDF trade blame over attack in northern Syria
The defence ministry accused the SDF of carrying out a rocket barrage on one of the army's outposts in the city's countryside, injuring four troops and three civilians, according to the state news agency SANA. It described the attack as irresponsible and without justification.
The U.S.-backed SDF said in a statement they were responding to "an unprovoked artillery assault targeting civilian-populated areas with more than ten shells" from factions operating within Syrian government ranks. The statement made no mention of any casualties.
In March, the SDF signed a deal with the Damascus Islamist-led government to join Syria's state institutions.
The deal aims to stitch back together a country fractured by 14 years of war, paving the way for Kurdish-led forces that hold a quarter of Syria to merge with Damascus, along with regional Kurdish governing bodies.
However, the deal did not specify how the SDF will be merged with Syria's armed forces. The SDF has previously said its forces must join as a bloc, while Damascus wants them to join as individuals.
A Turkish defence ministry source said last month the SDF must prove it is adhering to the agreement with the Syrian government. Ankara deems the SDF an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party.
"While we reaffirm our commitment to respecting the current de-escalation arrangements, we call on the relevant authorities in the Syrian government to take responsibility and bring the undisciplined factions under their control," the SDF said in its statement.
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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Plans to take Gaza City are met with defiance from war-weary Palestinians and anger by many Israelis
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel's decision to take over Gaza City was met with resignation and defiance by Palestinians who have survived two years of war and repeated raids. Many Israelis responded with fear and anger, worried it could be a death sentence for hostages held in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Friday that Israel would intensify its 22-month war with Hamas by taking over Gaza City, large parts of which have been destroyed by past bombardment and ground incursions. A major ground operation is almost sure to cause more mass displacement and worsen an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis. 'What does (Israel) want from us? ... There is nothing here to occupy,' said a woman in Gaza City who identified herself as Umm Youssef. 'There is no life here. I have to walk every day for more than 15 minutes to get drinking water." Ruby Chen, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen whose son, Itay, is a hostage held in Gaza, told The Associated Press that the decision puts the remaining hostages in danger. 'What is the plan now that is different from the last 22 months?' he said. Ehud Olmert, a former prime minister and harsh critic of Netanyahu, told the AP 'there's not any objective that can be achieved that's worth the cost of the lives of the hostages, the soldiers' and civilians, echoing concerns expressed by many former top security officials in Israel. 'I will die here' Netanyahu says military pressure is key to achieving Israel's war goals of returning all the hostages and destroying Hamas. On Thursday, he told Fox News that Israel intends to eventually take over all of Gaza and hand it over to a friendly Arab civilian administration. But Hamas has survived nearly two years of war and several large-scale ground operations, including in Gaza City. In a statement, the militant group said the people of Gaza would 'remain defiant against occupation' and warned Israel that the incursion 'will not be a walk in the park.' Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled Gaza City in the opening weeks of the war, the first of several mass displacements. Many returned during a ceasefire earlier this year. Now, residents say they are too busy searching for food and trying to survive amid the city's bombed-out buildings and tent camps to think about another exodus. 'I have no intention to leave my home, I will die here," said Kamel Abu Nahel from the city's urban Shati refugee camp. Israel already controls and has largely destroyed around 75% of the Gaza Strip, with most of its population of some 2 million Palestinians now sheltering in Gaza City, the central city of Deir al-Balah and the sprawling displacement camps in the Muwasi area along the coast. The offensive has killed over 61,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were fighters or civilians. It says women and children make up around half the dead. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. The United Nations and other experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of casualties, while Israel disputes them. Ismail Zaydah said he and his family had remained in Gaza City throughout the war. 'This is our land, there is no other place for us to go,' he said. 'We are not surrendering ... We were born here, and here we die." 'This madman called Netanyahu' Hamas-led militants abducted 251 people in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack that started the war and killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Though most of the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals, 50 are still in Gaza, less than half of them believed by Israel to be alive. Relatives of many of the hostages and their supporters have repeatedly protested against the continuation of the war, demanding that Israel reach a ceasefire with Hamas that would include the return of their loved ones. The long-running talks broke down last month. 'Somebody's got to stop this madman called Netanyahu,' said Yehuda Cohen, whose son Nimrod is held hostage. He said faith in the United States to help is also dwindling. 'I lost hope with Donald Trump ... he's letting Netanyahu just do whatever he likes,' he said. But other Israelis voiced support for the decision. 'They need to go after Hamas,' said Susan Makin, a Tel Aviv resident. 'Why are they not asking why Hamas has not given back the hostages and put (down) their arms?' The agony around the plight of the hostages has worsened in recent days as Palestinians militants have released videos showing two of the captives emaciated and pleading for their lives. Families fear their loved ones, who may be held in other parts of Gaza, are running out time. Amir Avivi, a retired Israeli general and chairman of Israel's Defense and Security Forum, said there are a few hostages in Gaza City and the army will have to decide how to manage the situation. He said they might be able to surround the hostages and negotiate directly with their captors or leave those areas untouched. Under pressure, Hamas might decide to release the captives, he said. That strategy carries great risk. Last year, Israeli forces recovered the bodies of six hostages who were killed by their captors when troops approached the tunnel where they were being held. ___ Shurafa reported from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip. Associated Press reporter Shlomo Mor in Tel Aviv contributed. ___ Follow AP's war coverage at
CNN
3 hours ago
- CNN
August 8, 2025 - Gaza News Updates
Update: Date: Title: Content: Our live coverage has concluded for today. Please scroll through the posts below to learn the latest developments in Gaza. Update: Date: Title: Middle Eastern countries condemn Israel's move to take control of Gaza City Content: Several Middle Eastern countries issued statements on Friday condemning the Israeli government's approval of a plan to take control of Gaza City. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it condemns Israel's 'adamancy to commit the crimes of starvation of civilians, beastly conduct, and ethnic cleansing against our Palestinian brethren.' 'The inhumane ideas and decisions often gratuitously adopted by the Israeli occupation authorities prove, once again, that they do not understand the existential, historic, and legal relationship that our Palestinian brethren have to that land and that the Palestinian people have a right to it in accordance with international law and human rights,' the Saudi ministry said. The UAE's ministry said that the decision would lead to 'catastrophic consequences, including further loss of innocent life and a worsening of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.' Saudi Arabia and the UAE both called on the United Nations to take action. The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the move while calling for 'firm opposition to Israel's continued violations of international humanitarian law.' All three countries reaffirmed their support for a two-state solution to be reached. Update: Date: Title: Satellite image shows Israeli military buildup near border crossing to Gaza City Content: A satellite image captured Friday morning by Planet Labs shows dozens of military vehicles at a compound near Israel's Nahal Oz crossing into Gaza. This staging location, just two miles from Gaza City, is significant after the Israeli cabinet approved plans to capture the city over the next five months. The photo shows over 100 vehicles parked in a depot near the border crossing. The depot, located along the 1949 Armistice line, is surrounded by several defensive berms. Update: Date: Title: Father of Israeli hostage calls plan to take control of Gaza City "unfortunate" Content: The father of hostage Itay Chen said the Israeli security cabinet's approval to take full control of Gaza City shows where the government's priority lies. 'I think it just proves again the objective of dismantling Hamas supersedes the objective of releasing all the hostages. It's unfortunate,' Ruby Chen told CNN's Wolf Blitzer earlier today. 'We feel like we are collateral damage.' He referenced the warning from Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir to the security cabinet on how a Gaza takeover could trap the military within the enclave and put remaining hostages at risk. Chen went on to emphasize a call to bring remaining hostages home and 'start the rehabilitation of this country.' Update: Date: Title: Former Israeli prime minister says Gaza City takeover plan will endanger lives Content: Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israel's approved plan to take full control of Gaza City won't save the remaining hostages, but will rather endanger lives and 'increase the number of crimes' in the enclave. He told CNN's Paula Newton today that an expanded military operation 'is not going to save the hostages, which is going to cost the lives of many soldiers, and which is going to cause the lives of many non-involved Palestinians.' 'It will increase the number of crimes which will be committed not as part of a policy. There is no policy of committing crimes or of genocide or anything like that,' he said. 'But this is the nature of this operation.' Last year, a United Nations inquiry into the first few months of the war in Gaza found both Israel and Hamas committed war crimes and grave violations of international law. Another UN report accused Israel of carrying out a 'concerted policy' of destroying the health care system in Gaza in attacks it said amount to war crimes. Olmert said ending the war will save the hostages still being held in Gaza and other victims. He blamed current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's agenda for being behind the decision. 'The prime minister personally is captive of a group of messianic partners in the coalition government which holds the tide. And they threaten that if the decision will be different, they will break down the government,' Olmert said. 'This is the universal consensus in Israel today that this is a political expediency. There is no question about it.' Olmert was prime minister from 2006 to 2009. Update: Date: Title: France warns Israel that expanding war in Gaza won't improve security. Here's what other countries are saying Content: France was among several countries on Friday to criticize the Israeli government's plans to take control of Gaza City. France 'condemns in the strongest terms' the Israeli government's war expansion plan, which would 'in no way' contribute to the security of Israelis, including the hostages in Gaza, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a Friday press release. 'These actions would constitute further serious violations of international law and lead to an absolute stalemate. They would undermine the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinians to live in peace in a viable, sovereign, and contiguous state, and pose a threat to regional stability,' the ministry said. Ireland: Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, known as the Taoiseach, said Ireland 'unreservedly condemns' Israel's plans, and called for a 'peaceful resolution on the basis of a two-state solution.' 'This shows a complete disregard for international law and will have catastrophic consequences for the civilian population of Gaza,' Martin said in a statement. Ireland formally recognized Palestinian statehood in May 2024 and has held a long-standing position of solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Canada: Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada believes the decision is the 'wrong' move for Israel, will not contribute to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and 'is going to put the lives of the hostages at greater risk.' Carney joined France and Britain last month in announcing plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September. Update: Date: Title: UN chief calls Israel's decision to take control of Gaza City a "dangerous escalation" Content: UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Friday that he is 'gravely alarmed' by the Israeli government's decision to take control of Gaza City. 'This marks a dangerous escalation and risks deepening the already catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians. It could further endanger more lives, including of the remaining hostages,' Guterres said in a post on X. The UN head repeated his pleas for a permanent ceasefire, 'unimpeded' humanitarian access across Gaza, and the release of the remaining hostages. A statement from Guterres' spokesperson also called on Israel to abide by international law. Update: Date: Title: Here's what full Israeli control of Gaza City might look like Content: After Israel's security cabinet approved a plan to take over Gaza City, CNN's Oren Liebermann explains what the operation could look like. In a major escalation of the conflict, Israel's security cabinet approved a plan to take over Gaza City. CNN's Oren Liebermann explains what the operation could look like. #CNN #News Update: Date: Title: Hostage families hold Shabbat dinner outside home of Israel's defense minister Content: The families of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza held a Shabbat dinner outside the home of Israel Katz, Israel's defense minister, to protest the security cabinet's approval of a major expansion of its military campaign. The protesters – including some released hostages – stood around an empty table in Kfar Ahim, with photos of the missing hostages placed on chairs, as a reminder that Israel's government has failed to bring many of them home nearly two years after their abduction. Iair Horn, who was released after nearly 500 days in Hamas captivity, said his family struggled to celebrate Shabbat while his brother Eitan remains in Gaza. 'We missed so many Friday meals, and we're still missing them. My brother Eitan is in captivity, our friends are still in captivity. Until they all return, you can't call this Kabbalat Shabbat,' he said in a statement released by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. 'Our family is completely broken, but we've become one big family. Until every one of the hostages returns, I won't have a real Shabbat meal.' Hostage families have long urged the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a hostage and ceasefire deal with Hamas. On Friday, Israel's security cabinet approved a plan to occupy Gaza City, further dashing hopes of a new deal to bring the hostages home. Update: Date: Title: Netanyahu insists Israel is "not going to occupy" Gaza as alarm grows at home and abroad Content: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel does not intend to fully occupy Gaza, hours after his security cabinet approved a major expansion of its campaign. 'We are not going to occupy Gaza – we are going to free Gaza from Hamas,' Netanyahu said in his first public comments since his security cabinet on Friday approved a plan to take control of Gaza City. Before the security cabinet meeting, Netanyahu had signaled more maximalist aims, telling Fox News on Thursday evening that Israel intended to take full control of Gaza. But after facing widespread backlash from Israel's allies on Friday, Netanyahu softened some of the rhetoric he had used ahead of the meeting. 'Gaza will be demilitarized, and a peaceful civilian administration will be established, one that is not the Palestinian Authority, not Hamas, and not any other terrorist organization,' Netanyahu said in post on social media Friday. 'This will help free our hostages and ensure Gaza does not pose a threat to Israel in the future,' he added. As an occupier of Gaza, Israel would be legally obliged to provide basic services to ensure the welfare of the population, which may be another reason Israel appears to be deliberately steering clear of the term. Israel already controls the vast majority of the territory. Update: Date: Title: Reservist organization in Israel calls on soldiers to decline military orders to serve Content: A reservist organization in Israel has renewed calls for soldiers to decline military orders to serve after the security cabinet approved an expanded operation to take over Gaza City. 'Your children do not know how to refuse on their own, because it is difficult. It is almost impossible,' Soldiers for the Hostages said on social media. 'It is hard to explain to your commanders the decision to refuse. But it is easier when it's done together,' it said. The organization has been calling on Israelis to refuse service for months, believing that further military operations in Gaza poses a serious risk to the remaining 50 hostages, 20 of whom are still believed to be alive. Yotam Vilk, a captain in the reserves who decided to stop serving during the war and a member of Soldiers for the Hostages, said in an op-ed that he feels betrayed by the Israeli government. 'I can't stay silent. Not after I saw with my own eyes the human toll of any additional day in Gaza. Not after I saw what neglect and abandonment look like, and how a government willing to sacrifice all of us for the sake of its false promises looks like,' wrote Vilk in the Haaretz daily newspaper. Michael Majer, a former IDF intelligence officer who ended his service during this war, expressed his anger at Israel's politicians for not calling on others to refuse. Calling out some of the country's leading lawmakers, Majer said on social media: 'Everyone says the war is pointless. Everyone says soldiers are sent to Gaza without any purpose. Do you care about your seats more than the lives of the soldiers?' Update: Date: Title: Netanyahu tells German chancellor Israel is disappointed with arms embargo Content: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told German Chancellor Friedrich Merz that Israel is disappointed with Germany's decision to place Israel under an arms embargo, his office said. 'Instead of supporting Israel's just war against Hamas, which carried out the most horrific attack against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, Germany is rewarding Hamas terrorism by embargoing arms to Israel,' Netanyahu said Friday, his office said in a statement. Netanyahu stressed to Merz that Israel's goal 'is not to take over Gaza, but to free Gaza from Hamas and enable a peaceful government to be established there,' the statement said. Earlier, Merz announced that Germany — the second-largest supplier of arms to Israel after the United States — would not approve any exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza. Why this matters: Merz's decision is a stark measure of the tension Israel's conduct in Gaza is creating among many of its staunchest allies. Due to its role in the Holocaust, Germany believes it has a special responsibility to protect Jewish life and sees Israel's security as a 'Staatsräson' — a 'reason of state.' German leaders have been criticized throughout the war in Gaza for being too lenient toward Israel's foreign policy decisions, making Merz's stance all the more significant. Update: Date: Title: Map: Gaza at a glance Content: Israel's security cabinet has approved a plan from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to occupy Gaza City, according to the Prime Minister's Office. 'The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) will prepare for the takeover of Gaza City while ensuring the provision of humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones,' the office said, following a hours-long meeting of the security cabinet that went long into the night. The phased plan under consideration would require up to five months, during which approximately a million Palestinians in Gaza City and other areas would once again be forced into evacuation areas in southern Gaza, according to an Israeli official with knowledge of the proposal. The military would establish compounds to house the massive influx of displaced Palestinians. View a map of Gaza below: Update: Date: Title: Analysis: Israel tests the patience of key ally Germany with war expansion plan Content: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has once again found a way to anger its closest and staunchest European ally: Germany. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced he will 'not approve any exports of military equipment' to Israel until further notice, following the Israeli approval to take control of Gaza City. The actions should come as no surprise in Jerusalem. In recent months, Merz has made it clear that Israel should not bank on Germany's previously vociferous, and near-unconditional, support. Merz's first warning came back in May, as Israel escalated its Gaza campaign, warning that 'the Israeli government must not do anything that its best friends are no longer prepared to accept.' There's a trend emerging from the Merz government, one that marks a major departure for Germany from an unofficial policy known as Staatsraison — or national interest. For decades, Germany has stood shoulder to shoulder with Israel, with Germany's dark history of Jewish persecution shaping its modern-day policy of virtually unquestioned backing. But this latest initiative, as well as sickening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, has forced Merz to remind Netanyahu once again that Germany will not stand idly by. Merz said in his statement today that his government is finding it 'increasingly difficult' to see how the release of the remaining hostages, a ceasefire and the disarmament of Hamas can be achieved with more fighting. Jeremy Issacharoff, a former Israeli ambassador to Germany, said 'Israel should be concerned,' adding Germany's actions are 'without doubt a serious ramification of the latest government decision to expand the military action in Gaza.' Update: Date: Title: Watch: Explosions in Gaza City hours after Israeli security cabinet approves full takeover Content: Video circulating on social media showed an explosion in Gaza City on Friday, just hours after the Israeli security cabinet approved plans for a full takeover of the city. The video shows an explosion which took place just a few streets away from one of the city's main hospitals, Al-Shifa. Hospital director, Dr. Mohammad Abu Salmiya told CNN the strike targeted an empty house and he wasn't aware of any injured persons. Other video geolocated by CNN showed residents fleeing the scene with one man warning that the house behind him 'is under imminent threat.' The strikes came just hours after the Israeli security cabinet voted early on Friday to adopt 'five principles for ending the war' which will kick off with a takeover of Gaza City 'while distributing humanitarian assistance,' according to the Israeli Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Update: Date: Title: Balcony collapses in Gaza under weight of crowd scrambling to reach airdropped aid Content: A balcony collapsed in Gaza City under the weight of Palestinians rushing to reach airdropped aid that was caught on the roof of a restaurant, appearing to injure several people. Videos geolocated by CNN showed an airdropped package of aid descending on Gaza City, which Israel's security cabinet approved fully occupying. The parachute snagged on the roof of a building, with the aid package coming to rest on a balcony above a restaurant. Immediately, video showed scores of Palestinians rushing toward the site, with a large crowd gathering below the balcony and more than a dozen men climbing onto it, desperately trying to collect boxes of aid from the package. The balcony began to buckle under the weight of the men before suddenly collapsing onto some of the people gathered below. It was not clear how many people were injured in this incident. Warnings about airdrops: The United Nations and other aid groups have warned for weeks that airdropping aid is dangerous, as well as costly. Since last month, several countries have conducted airdrops in an attempt to help more aid reach those in Gaza while Israel blockades the territory. Gaza's health ministry said this week that airdrops have injured large numbers of civilians due to 'crowding and stampedes,' and from falling directly on houses or the tents of displaced Palestinians. Also on Friday, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society's Al-Saraya Field Hospital said it received nine people, including three children, who were injured as a result of aid parachutes falling on another street in Gaza City. During an airdrop in central Gaza last month, Palestinians told CNN they resent the humiliation of having to chase after aid. 'We are not dogs,' one Gazan told CNN. 'We'd rather die of hunger with dignity than die in humiliation and filth.' Update: Date: Title: Israel's announcement has drawn criticism from leaders across the world. Here's what you need to know Content: Israel's security cabinet announced in the early hours of Friday morning local time that it approved a plan to take control of Gaza City, sparking condemnation both within Israel and internationally. The Palestinian Authority warned that the decision will lead to an 'unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe,' as the United Nations' human rights chief said that the planned takeover 'must be immediately halted.' Inside Israel, the Hostages Families Forum Headquarters said that the government 'is leading us toward a colossal catastrophe for both the hostages and our soldiers.' Here's what else you need to know: • Germany halts arms exports: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that his country has decided to suspend the export of military equipment that could be used by Israel in Gaza. Jeremy Issacharoff, a former ambassador of Israel to Germany, called this a 'serious ramification,' adding that his country 'should be concerned.' • Belgium summons Israeli ambassador: Belgium summoned the Israeli ambassador in Brussels to express its 'total disapproval' of the decision, as well as Israel's 'continued colonization' of Palestinian land, Maxime Prevot, Belgium's foreign minister announced. • Hostages lives at risk: Hamas condemned the Israeli government's plans as a 'full-fledged war crime' that will come at a 'high cost.' The decision shows that the Israeli government is 'indifferent to the fate of their captives' and 'fully aware that expanding the aggression would mean sacrificing them,' the militant group said. • Hostage father slams Netanyahu: The father of a hostage currently held in Gaza alleged that Netanyahu would prefer the hostages to be dead so he can carry out intensified attacks on the enclave. 'Once you convince everybody that they are all dead … you can say, 'OK, we can go brute force on the Gaza Strip, bomb everything,'' Yehuda Cohen said in an interview with the BBC. • Major hospital running out of fuel: Meanwhile in Gaza, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital said its fuel supply is quickly running out and 'will only keep the hospital running for a few more hours' if it is not soon replenished. This means that it will be forced to shut down all of its operations, including its surgical theaters, intensive care units, neonatal incubators, and ventilators. Update: Date: Title: US vice president reiterates that United States won't recognize a Palestinian state Content: US Vice President JD Vance said that the United States does not intend to recognize a Palestinian state, following recent declarations by France, Canada and the United Kingdom that they plan to recognize Palestinian statehood. Vance made clear that the US stance has not changed after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the Israel Defense Forces would take over Gaza City. 'We have no plans to recognize the Palestinian state,' Vance said during a bilateral meeting with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy. 'I don't know what it would mean to really recognize a Palestinian state, given the lack of a functional government there,' the vice president added. Vance emphasized the administration's two core goals in the region are eliminating Hamas as a threat and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 'We want to make it so that Hamas cannot attack innocent Israeli civilians ever again, and we think that has to come through the eradication of Hamas. Second, the president has been very moved by these terrible images of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, so we want to make sure that we solve that problem,' he said, adding he planned to speak with Lammy about those goals today. When asked to comment on Israel's decision to occupy Gaza City, Vance declined to offer a direct response, citing ongoing diplomatic conversations. He added that an official statement would likely come from President Donald Trump to the media himself. Update: Date: Title: Timeline: From collapse of ceasefire talks to Israel's plan to take over Gaza City Content: At the end of June, US President Donald Trump said he believed a ceasefire in Gaza would be agreed to 'within the next week.' Four weeks later, the US abruptly pulled negotiators out of talks, with Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff saying the US would 'consider alternative options to bring the hostages home.' Here's what has happened since then: July 21: An Israeli source told CNN that talks were progressing 'slowly' but major roadblocks had been resolved, adding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was under US pressure to reach a deal. Two other sources said the US has communicated to Hamas that it is running out of patience. Hamas said it was exerting all efforts to reach a deal. July 22: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce he was 'very optimistic' on the possibility of a ceasefire. Bruce told CNN Witkoff would travel to Qatar later in the week for discussions if the talks reach an advanced stage. July 23: An Egyptian source told CNN that Hamas had submitted a response, but it didn't meet mediators' expectations. Another source said Hamas has been told to re-submit its response, expressing pessimism about a truce. Hamas later said it had submitted a counterproposal. July 24: Multiple officials familiar with the talks told CNN there was growing optimism about reaching the deal after Hamas submitted its counterproposal. But later in the day, Israel said it was recalling negotiators from Qatar. The US followed suit, with Witkoff saying Washington 'will now consider alternative options.' July 25: Netanyahu said Witkoff 'got it right,' and that Israel is also 'considering alternative options.' A source with direct knowledge of the talks told CNN the US pullback was 'an earthquake.' A senior Israeli official, however, told CNN talks have 'not at all' collapsed, and there is still an opportunity for the negotiations to resume if Hamas revises its demand for the number of prisoners to be released. July 27: Trump blamed Hamas for the breakdown in ceasefire talks, saying the militant group doesn't want to give back its remaining captives because then it will 'be the end' of the group's existence. Meanwhile, Hamas said that starvation crisis in Gaza meant there was 'no point in continuing negotiations' under current conditions. July 31: Hamas stopped engaging in any discussions regarding ceasefire and hostage release negotiations, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN. Hamas said it was committed to negotiations, but that the humanitarian situation in the enclave needed to improve for it do engage again. A senior Israeli official said that Israel and the United States were forming a new understanding on Gaza. August 4: An Israeli official said that Netanyahu was 'pushing for the freeing of the hostages through military defeat (of Hamas),' while accusing the militant group of refusing to engage in meaningful negotiations. August 8: In the early hours of Friday morning, Israel's security cabinet approved a plan to occupy Gaza City, the Prime Minister's Office said. Update: Date: Title: Israel 'should be concerned' by German suspension of arms exports, former Israeli ambassador to Germany says Content: Israel 'should be concerned' that Germany has decided to suspend the export of arms that could be used by the Israeli military in Gaza, Jeremy Issacharoff, a former ambassador of Israel to Germany, said Friday. 'Germany is the most important strategic partner to Israel after the United States, and it is crucial to ensure that this step will be limited to Gaza and for a limited time,' he said. On Friday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that his government 'will not approve any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice.' In response, Issacharoff said that 'hopefully it will not impact the broader spectrum of cooperation between the two countries. This is without doubt a serious ramification of the latest government decision to expand the military action in Gaza.' More on Germany's arms freeze: Meanwhile, lawmaker Merav Michaeli, a former head of Israel's Labor party, said that there is 'no clearer warning sign of the disaster which (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu has been leading Israel into than the statement by the German chancellor.' 'There's no country which is more committed to Israel than Germany,' Michaeli said. 'Netanyahu has been leading Israel into destruction. His decision from last night makes another step towards the abyss.'
Wall Street Journal
3 hours ago
- Wall Street Journal
Gaza Takeover Plan Exposes Constraints on Israeli Military
Israeli authorities say the occupation of the entire Gaza Strip threatened by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to start with a narrower goal—seizing control of Gaza City—reflecting serious resource constraints that are likely to limit the pace and scope of military operations. After nearly two years of intense conflict sparked by an assault on southern Israel by Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas that killed around 1,200 people, Israel's troops are exhausted, and a large majority of citizens say they want a deal to end the war and free hostages still held by Hamas.
