Latest news with #GazaOffensive
CNA
a day ago
- Politics
- CNA
Netanyahu signals new Gaza offensive; Israel says slain Al Jazeera journalist was Hamas commander
JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday (Aug 10) he expected to complete a new Gaza offensive "fairly quickly" as the UN Security Council heard new demands for an end to suffering in the Palestinian enclave. Netanyahu, speaking after his security cabinet on Friday approved a much-criticised plan to take control of Gaza City said he had no choice but to "complete the job" and defeat Hamas to free hostages seized from Israel. Gaza City, the enclave's most populous center, came under escalating Israeli air strikes late on Sunday, witnesses said. At least five people were killed at a sandwich shop in the Sabra neighbourhood, health officials at Shifa Hospital said. Palestinian media said a missile hit a tent used by journalists near the hospital, and the head of Shifa Hospital, Muhammad Abu Salamiyah, said on Al Jazeera television that seven people were killed there. Tank fire was also reported in the area. The Hamas-run Gaza media office said five Al Jazeera staff died in the attack including journalists Anas Al Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh and three photojournalists. It said the fifth man was a driver and assistant. Israel's military said it targeted and killed Al Sharif, whom it claimed was the head of a Hamas cell posing as a journalist. It said the accusation had been confirmed by intelligence and documents found in Gaza. UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan said last month the claims were unsubstantiated. Palestinian militant group Hamas, which runs Gaza, said the killing of Al Sharif and others may signal the start of an Israeli offensive. Palestinian journalists' groups and Al Jazeera also denounced the killings. Calling Al Sharif "one of Gaza's bravest journalists", Al Jazeera said the attack "is a desperate attempt to silence voices in anticipation of the occupation of Gaza". Netanyahu's office said late Sunday the prime minister had spoken with US President Donald Trump about "Israel's plans to take control of the remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza". Earlier in the day, the Israeli leader said the new Gaza offensive aimed to tackle two remaining Hamas strongholds in what he called his only option because of the Palestinian group's refusal to lay down its arms. Hamas says it will not disarm unless an independent Palestinian state is established. It was not clear when the offensive, which would be the latest in successive attempts by the Israeli military to clear the militants from Gaza City, would begin. "The timeline that we set for the action is fairly quickly. We want, first of all, to enable safe zones to be established so the civilian population of Gaza City can move out," he added. The city, home to a million people before the two-year-old war, would be moved into "safe zones", he said. Palestinians say these have not protected them from Israeli fire in the past. Israel's military chief has voiced opposition to occupying the entire Gaza Strip and has warned that expanding the offensive could endanger the lives of hostages Hamas is still holding and draw its troops into protracted and deadly guerrilla warfare. Netanyahu said his goal was not to occupy Gaza. "We want a security belt right next to our border, but we don't want to stay in Gaza. That's not our purpose," he said. SPREADING FAMINE European representatives at the United Nations said famine was unfolding in Gaza and Israel's plan would only make things worse. "Expanding military operations will only endanger the lives of all civilians in Gaza, including the remaining hostages, and result in further unnecessary suffering," Denmark, France, Greece, Slovenia and the United Kingdom said in a joint statement. "This is a manmade crisis, and therefore urgent action is needed to halt starvation and to surge aid into Gaza," they said. Malnutrition is widespread in the enclave due to what international aid agencies say is a deliberate plan by Israel to restrict aid. Israel rejects that allegation, blaming Hamas for the hunger among Palestinians and saying a lot of aid has been distributed. The US representative at the Security Council defended Netanhayu and said Washington was committed to addressing humanitarian needs, freeing the hostages and achieving peace. Netanyahu said Israel was working with Washington on creating a surge of aid into Gaza, including by land. After his conversation with Trump, the prime minister's office said he thanked the president "for his steadfast support of Israel". Five more people, including two children, died of malnutrition and starvation in Gaza in the past 24 hours, Gaza's health ministry said, taking the number of deaths from such causes to 217, including 100 children. The Hamas-run Gaza government media office said a further 23 people had been killed so far in the war by airdrops of aid which countries have resorted to due to the difficulties of getting aid in by road. In the latest case, a parachuted aid box killed a 14-year-old boy awaiting food with other desperate Palestinians at a tent encampment in central Gaza, according to medics and video verified by Reuters. The war began on Oct 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel and killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israeli authorities say 20 of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza are alive.
Asharq Al-Awsat
a day ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Netanyahu Vows to 'Complete the Job' against Hamas
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel has no choice but to "complete the job" and defeat Hamas, given the Palestinian group's refusal to lay down its arms. Netnayahu also told a news conference that his new Gaza offensive plans aim to tackle two remaining Hamas strongholds. He said Israel 'has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas.' According to the AP news, he was speaking to foreign media in Jerusalem and defending a planned military offensive. He asserts that 'our goal is not to occupy Gaza, our goal is to free Gaza.' He is also pushing back against what he calls a 'global campaign of lies' as condemnation of the plan grows both inside and outside Israel. Netanyahu said there is a 'fairly short timetable' in mind for next steps in Gaza. The goals there, he said, include demilitarizing Gaza, the Israeli military having 'overriding security control' there and a non-Israeli civilian administration in charge. The prime minister also said he had directed Israel's military in recent days to 'bring in more foreign journalists' — which would be a striking development as they have not been allowed into Gaza beyond military embeds. Netanyahu again blamed many of Gaza's problems on the Hamas militant group, including civilian deaths, destruction and shortages of aid.
SBS Australia
a day ago
- Politics
- SBS Australia
Netanyahu says new Gaza offensive will start 'fairly quickly' amid calls to scrap plan
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he expected to complete a new Gaza offensive "fairly quickly" as the UN Security Council heard new demands for an end to suffering in the Palestinian enclave. Netanyahu, speaking after his security cabinet on Friday approved a much-criticised plan to take control of Gaza City said he had no choice but to "complete the job" and defeat Hamas to free hostages seized from Israel. Netanyahu's office said on Sunday the prime minister had spoken with US President Donald Trump about "Israel's plans to take control of the remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza". Earlier in the day, the Israeli leader said the new Gaza offensive aimed to tackle two remaining Hamas strongholds in what he called his only option because of the Palestinian group's refusal to lay down its arms. Hamas says it will not disarm unless an independent Palestinian state is established. It was not clear when the offensive, which would be the latest in successive attempts by the Israeli military to clear the militants from Gaza City, would begin. "The timeline that we set for the action is fairly quickly. We want, first of all, to enable safe zones to be established so the civilian population of Gaza City can move out," he added. The city, home to a million people before the two-year-old war, would be moved into "safe zones", he said. Palestinians say these have not protected them from Israeli fire in the past. Israel's military chief has voiced opposition to occupying the entire Gaza Strip and has warned that expanding the offensive could endanger the lives of hostages Hamas is still holding and draw its troops into protracted and deadly guerrilla warfare. Netanyahu said his goal was not to occupy Gaza. "We want a security belt right next to our border, but we don't want to stay in Gaza. That's not our purpose," he said. European representatives at the United Nations said famine was unfolding in Gaza and Israel's plan would only make things worse. According to the UN, at least 1.9 million people, or about 90 per cent of the population across the Gaza Strip have so far been displaced during the war. Source: AP / Jehad Alshrafi "Expanding military operations will only endanger the lives of all civilians in Gaza, including the remaining hostages, and result in further unnecessary suffering," Denmark, France, Greece, Slovenia and the United Kingdom said in a joint statement. "This is a manmade crisis, and therefore urgent action is needed to halt starvation and to surge aid into Gaza," they said. Malnutrition is widespread in the enclave due to what international aid agencies say is a deliberate plan by Israel to restrict aid. Israel rejects that allegation, blaming Hamas for the hunger among Palestinians and saying a lot of aid has been distributed. The US representative at the Security Council defended Netanhayu and said Washington was committed to addressing humanitarian needs, freeing the hostages and achieving peace. Netanyahu said Israel was working with Washington on creating a surge of aid into Gaza, including by land. Thousands protest in Tel Aviv Meanwhile, thousands of protesters took to the streets of Tel Aviv over the weekend to oppose Netanyahu's plan to escalate the war, demanding an immediate end to the campaign and for the release of the hostages. "This isn't just a military decision. It could be a death sentence for the people we love most," Lishay Miran Lavi, the wife of hostage Omri Miran told the rally, pleading to US President Donald Trump to intervene to immediately end the war. Public opinion polls show an overwhelming majority of Israelis favour an immediate end to the war to secure the release of the remaining 50 hostages held by militants in Gaza. Israeli officials believe about 20 hostages are still alive. Thousands demonstrated in Tel Aviv, calling on the Israeli government to agree to a deal to release all hostages from Hamas captivity, to end the war and to not to go ahead with its plan to occupy Gaza. Source: AAP / Yael Guisky Abas The Israeli government has faced sharp criticism at home and abroad, including from some of its closest European allies, over the announcement that the military would expand the war. Most of the hostages who have been freed so far emerged as a result of diplomatic negotiations. Talks toward a ceasefire that could have seen more hostages released collapsed in July. "They (the government) are fanatic. They are doing things against the interests of the country," said Rami Dar, 69-year-old retiree, who travelled from a nearby suburb outside of Tel Aviv, echoing calls for Trump to force a deal for the hostages. Tel Aviv has seen frequent rallies urging the government to reach a ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas. Saturday's demonstration attracted over 100,000 protesters, according to organisers. "Frankly, I'm not an expert or anything, but I feel that after two years of fighting there has been no success," said Yana, 45, who attended the rally with her husband and two children. "I wonder whether additional lives for both sides, not just the Israelis but also Gazans, will make any difference." Protesters waved Israeli flags and carried placards bearing the images of hostages. Others held signs directing anger at the government or urging Trump to take action to stop Netanyahu from moving forward with plans to escalate the war. A small number of protesters held images of Gazan children killed by the military. Tal, a 55-year-old high school teacher, told Reuters at the rally in Tel Aviv that expanding the war was 'terrible,' warning it would result in the deaths of both soldiers and hostages and insisting that the war should end with the military withdrawing. "We don't have anything to do there. It's not ours."
Reuters
a day ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Netanyahu says new Gaza offensive will start soon
JERUSALEM/CAIRO, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he expected to complete a new Gaza offensive "fairly quickly", as the U.N. Security Council heard new demands for an end to suffering in the Palestinian enclave. Netanyahu, speaking after his security cabinet on Friday approved a much-criticised plan to take control of Gaza City said he had no choice but to "complete the job" and defeat Hamas to free hostages seized from Israel. He said the new Gaza offensive aimed to tackle two remaining Hamas strongholds in what he said was his only option because of the Palestinian group's refusal to lay down its arms. Hamas says it will not disarm unless an independent Palestinian state is established. It was not clear when the offensive, which would be the latest in successive attempts by the Israeli military to clear the militants from Gaza City, would begin. "The timeline that we set for the action is fairly quickly. We want, first of all, to enable safe zones to be established so the civilian population of Gaza City can move out," he added. The city, home to a million people before the two-year-old war, would be moved into "safe zones", he said. Palestinians say these have not protected them from Israeli fire in the past. Israel's military chief has voiced opposition to occupying the entire Gaza Strip and has warned that expanding the offensive could endanger the lives of hostages Hamas is still holding and draw its troops into protracted and deadly guerrilla warfare. Netanyahu said his goal was not to occupy Gaza. "We want a security belt right next to our border, but we don't want to stay in Gaza. That's not our purpose," he said. European representatives at the United Nations said famine was unfolding in Gaza and Israel's plan would only make things worse. "Expanding military operations will only endanger the lives of all civilians in Gaza, including the remaining hostages, and result in further unnecessary suffering," Denmark, France, Greece, Slovenia and the United Kingdom said in a joint statement. "This is a manmade crisis, and therefore urgent action is needed to halt starvation and to surge aid into Gaza," they said. Malnutrition is widespread in the enclave due to what international aid agencies say is a deliberate plan by Israel to restrict aid. Israel rejects that allegation, blaming Hamas for the hunger among Palestinians and saying a lot of aid has been distributed. The U.S. representative at the Security Council defended Netanhayu and said Washington was committed to addressing humanitarian needs, freeing the hostages and achieving peace. Netanyahu said Israel was working with Washington on creating a surge of aid into Gaza, including by land. Five more people, including two children, died of malnutrition and starvation in Gaza in the past 24 hours, Gaza's health ministry said, taking the number of deaths from such causes to 217, including 100 children. The Hamas-run Gaza government media office said a further 23 people had been killed so far in the war by airdrops of aid which countries have resorted to due to the difficulties of getting aid in by road. In the latest case, a parachuted aid box killed a 14-year-old boy awaiting food with other desperate Palestinians at a tent encampment in central Gaza, according to medics and video verified by Reuters. "We have repeatedly warned of the dangers of these inhumane methods and have consistently called for the safe and sufficient delivery of aid through land crossings, especially food, infant formula, medicines, and medical supplies," it said. Italy said Israel should heed its own army's warnings before sending more troops into Gaza, where the Israeli military already holds large parts of the territory. "The invasion of Gaza risks turning into a Vietnam for Israeli soldiers," Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in an interview with daily Il Messaggero. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel and killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Israeli authorities say 20 of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza are alive. Israel's offensive since then has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to health officials, and left much of the territory in ruins.
Reuters
a day ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Netanyahu says Gaza City push aims to end war quickly
Aug 10 (Reuters) - Israel aims to take on Hamas' two remaining strongholds in its new Gaza offensive, which it hopes will conclude "fairly quickly" and end the war, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday. On Friday, Israel approved the new plan to expand its military operations and take control of Gaza City, the territory's largest urban centre, in a move that drew fresh criticism at home and abroad, including from several European countries. Speaking to foreign journalists at a news conference in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said Israel had no choice but to complete the job and defeat Hamas, given the group's refusal to lay down its arms. Hamas said it would not disarm unless an independent Palestinian state was established. Netanyahu said Israel was working to increase aid distribution in a "humanitarian surge" being coordinated with Washington while its forces were preparing to move on Gaza City. "The timeline that we set for the action is fairly quickly. We want, first of all, to enable safe zones to be established so the civilian population of Gaza City can move out," he added. "I don't want to talk about exact timetables, but we are talking in terms of a fairly short timetable, because we want to bring the war to an end. This is how we bring the war to an end."
