Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday defended a deliberate navy offensive into Gaza City, saying Israel “has no selection however to complete the job and full the defeat of Hamas.”
Chatting with international media in Jerusalem, Netanyahu asserted that Israel’s objective was to not occupy Gaza, however to “free Gaza.”
The Israeli chief stated there’s a “pretty quick timetable” in thoughts for the following steps in Gaza.
The objectives in Gaza, he stated, embrace demilitarizing the enclave, sustaining the Israeli navy’s “overriding safety management” and placing a non-Israeli civilian administration in cost.
The information convention got here two days after Israel’s Safety Cupboard authorised a plan for the Israeli navy to take over Gaza Metropolis. The transfer sparked condemnation inside and outside Israel, and fears that the plan would exacerbate the Gaza Strip’s humanitarian issues and put the remaining residing hostages held by Hamas since Oct. 7, 2023, in additional hazard.
“We’ll win the battle, with or with out the assist of others,” Netanyahu stated.
Abir Sultan/Pool Photograph through AP
Netanyahu’s deal with got here simply earlier than the United Nations Safety Council holds an emergency assembly on Israel’s plan to take management of Gaza Metropolis.
The prime minister stated the plan authorised by his Safety Cupboard instructs the Israel Protection Forces to dismantle the final two remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza Metropolis and the central camps, whereas Palestinians are funneled into “secure zones” with meals and medical care.
“That is one of the simplest ways to finish the battle and one of the simplest ways to finish it speedily,” he stated.
Netanyahu additionally stated he had directed Israel’s navy in current days to “convey in additional international journalists” — which might be a putting improvement as their entry to Gaza has been restricted.
He stated he has not but spoken to President Trump concerning the plan, however intends to “very quickly.” U.S. particular envoy Steve Witkoff is assembly with the Qatari prime minister in Spain this weekend, with the primary purpose being a dialogue of creating “workable” a brand new joint Egyptian-Qatari proposal on the return of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, CBS News has reported.
Two Arab officers informed the Related Press that the brand new ceasefire framework would come with the discharge of all hostages — useless and residing — abruptly in return for the battle’s finish and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
U.S. defends Israel at Safety Council assembly
The USA defended Israel, saying it has the suitable to determine what’s greatest for its safety. It referred to as the allegations of genocide in Gaza false.
The U.S. has veto energy on the council and may block proposed actions there.
JOHN LAMPARSKI/AFP through Getty Photos 
Different council members and U.N. officers expressed alarm. China referred to as the “collective punishment” of individuals in Gaza unacceptable. Russia warned towards a “reckless intensification of hostilities.”
“That is now not a looming starvation disaster; that is hunger,” stated Ramesh Rajasingham with the U.N. humanitarian workplace. “Humanitarian circumstances are past horrific. Now we have frankly run out of phrases to explain it.”
Extra Palestinians killed as they search support in Gaza
No less than 26 Palestinians had been killed whereas looking for support within the Gaza Strip within the final day, hospitals and witnesses informed the Related Press.
Hospital officers stated they acquired our bodies from areas the place Palestinians had been looking for support — both alongside meals convoy routes or close to privately run support distribution factors throughout Gaza.
The useless embrace 10 who had been killed whereas ready for support vehicles near the newly constructed Morag hall, which separates the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, stated Nasser hospital.
An extra six individuals had been killed whereas ready for support in northern Gaza close to the Zikim crossing, in line with the Hamas-run Gaza Well being Ministry and the Shifa hospital in Gaza Metropolis, which acquired the casualties.
Abdel Kareem Hana / AP 
Six different support seekers had been killed whereas making an attempt to achieve websites operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Basis in Khan Younis and Rafah, Nasser hospital stated.
Responding to Related Press inquiries, the GHF media workplace stated: “There have been no incidents at or close to our websites right this moment and these incidents look like linked to crowds making an attempt to loot support convoy.”
Israel’s navy additionally stated there have been no incidents involving Israeli troops close to central Gaza support websites.
Throughout his press convention, Netanyahu blamed Hamas for its position within the ongoing humanitarian disaster, together with civilian deaths, destruction and shortages of support.
“Hamas nonetheless has 1000’s of armed terrorists in Gaza,” he asserted, including that Palestinians are “begging” the world to be free of them.
The prime minister, who has asserted that there’s “no hunger in Gaza,” did acknowledge starvation there, saying, “there was an issue with deprivation, no query about it.” Israel desires to extend the variety of support distribution websites, he stated, however gave no particulars.
