JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday defended a new army offensive in Gaza that’s extra sweeping than beforehand introduced, declaring within the face of rising condemnation at residence and overseas that Israel “has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas.”
Whilst extra Israelis categorical concern over the 22-month struggle, Netanyahu mentioned the safety Cupboard final week instructed the dismantling of Hamas strongholds not solely in Gaza Metropolis but additionally within the “central camps” and Muwasi. A supply accustomed to the operation, who spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t approved to speak to the media, confirmed that Israel plans it in each areas.
The camps — sheltering properly over a half-million displaced individuals, based on the U.N. — had not been a part of Israel’s announcement Friday. It was not clear why, although Netanyahu confronted criticism this weekend inside his ruling coalition that concentrating on Gaza Metropolis was not sufficient. Netanyahu mentioned there can be “safe zones,” however such designated areas have been bombed prior to now.
Late Sunday, heavy bombardment was reported in Gaza Metropolis. Shortly earlier than midnight native time, broadcaster Al Jazeera mentioned correspondent Anas al-Sharif was killed in a strike. Rami Mohanna, administrative director on the close by Shifa Hospital, mentioned the strike hit a tent for Al Jazeera journalists exterior the hospital’s partitions. Together with al-Sharif, three different journalists and a driver have been killed.
Israel’s army confirmed it, asserting al-Sharif had “posed as a journalist” and alleging he was with Hamas. Al-Sharif had denied having any political affiliations. The Committee to Shield Journalists final month mentioned it was gravely involved for his security and mentioned he was a “targeted by an Israeli military smear campaign.”
Netanyahu spoke with Trump about plan
Netanyahu’s workplace late Sunday mentioned he had spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump in regards to the plan and thanked him for his “steadfast support.”
Rejecting hunger in Gaza in addition to a “global campaign of lies,” Netanyahu spoke to overseas media simply earlier than an emergency assembly of the United Nations Safety Council, a platform for outrage however little motion on the struggle.
“Our goal is not to occupy Gaza, our goal is to free Gaza,” Netanyahu asserted. The targets, he mentioned, embody demilitarizing the territory, the Israeli army having “overriding security control” and a non-Israeli civilian administration in cost.
Israel desires to extend the variety of assist distribution websites in Gaza, he mentioned, however in a later briefing to native media, he asserted: “There is no hunger. There was no hunger. There was a shortage, and there was certainly no policy of starvation.”
Netanyahu additionally mentioned he has directed Israel’s army to “bring in more foreign journalists” — which might be a placing growth, as they haven’t been allowed into Gaza past army embeds in the course of the struggle.
He once more blamed lots of Gaza’s issues on the Hamas militant group, together with civilian deaths, destruction and assist shortages. “Hamas still has thousands of armed terrorists,” he asserted, including that Palestinians are “begging” to be free of them.
Hamas responded with a prolonged assertion that summed up Netanyahu’s remarks as “blatant lies.”
U.S. defends Israel at Safety Council assembly
The USA defended Israel, saying it has the correct to resolve what’s finest for its safety. It known as allegations of genocide in Gaza false.
The U.S. has veto energy on the council and may block proposed actions there.
Different council members, and U.N. officers, expressed alarm. China known as the “collective punishment” of individuals in Gaza unacceptable. Russia warned towards a “reckless intensification of hostilities.”
“This is no longer a looming hunger crisis; this is starvation,” mentioned Ramesh Rajasingham with the U.N. humanitarian workplace. “Humanitarian conditions are beyond horrific. We have frankly run out of words to describe it.”
Israel faces rising motion even by its closest allies. Netanyahu mentioned Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany had “buckled under” the rising worldwide criticism by stopping exports of army tools to Israel that could possibly be utilized in Gaza. Merz, for his half, instructed public broadcaster ARD that Germany and Israel have been speaking “very critically” however Berlin’s total insurance policies of friendship haven’t modified.
Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
Extra Palestinians killed as they search assist
A minimum of 31 Palestinians have been killed whereas searching for assist in Gaza, hospitals and witnesses mentioned. The Related Press spoke to witnesses of gunfire within the Israeli-controlled Morag and Netzarim corridors and the Teina space within the south. All accused Israeli forces of firing at crowds attempting to succeed in meals distributions or ready for convoys.
Fifteen individuals have been killed whereas ready for vans close to the Morag hall that separates the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, based on Nasser hospital.
The scenario is a “death trap,” mentioned Jamal al-Laweh, who mentioned Israeli forces opened hearth there. “But I have no other choice to feed the kids.”
Six have been killed whereas ready for assist in northern Gaza close to the Zikim crossing, based on Gaza’s Health Ministry and Shifa hospital.
In central Gaza, witnesses mentioned they heard warning pictures earlier than hearth was aimed towards crowds attempting to succeed in a distribution web site operated by the Israeli-backed and U.S.-funded Gaza Humanitarian Basis. The AP couldn’t independently affirm who fired. Awda hospital mentioned 4 individuals have been killed by Israeli gunfire.
Six different aid-seekers have been killed whereas attempting to succeed in GHF websites in Khan Younis and Rafah, Nasser hospital mentioned.
The GHF websites opened in Could as a substitute for the U.N.-run assist system, however operations have been marred by deaths and chaos.
Responding to AP inquiries, the GHF media workplace mentioned: “There were no incidents at or near our sites today.” Israel’s army mentioned there have been no incidents involving troops close to central Gaza assist websites.
Starvation demise toll amongst youngsters hits 100
Israel’s air and floor offensive has displaced most Palestinians and pushed the territory towards famine. Two Palestinian youngsters died of malnutrition-related causes on Saturday, bringing the toll amongst youngsters to 100 for the reason that struggle started.
A minimum of 117 adults have died of malnutrition-related causes since June, when the ministry began to rely them.
The starvation toll is along with the ministry’s struggle toll of 61,400 Palestinians. The ministry, a part of the Hamas-run authorities and staffed by medical professionals, doesn’t distinguish between fighters or civilians, however says round half of the useless have been ladies and youngsters. The U.N. and impartial consultants think about it probably the most dependable supply on struggle casualties.
Shurafa reported from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, and Magdy from Cairo. Related Press writers Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel; Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut; Edith M. Lederer on the United Nations and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed.
Observe AP’s struggle protection at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
