Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday defended a deliberate navy offensive into Gaza Metropolis, saying Israel “has no selection however to complete the job and full the defeat of Hamas.”
Talking to international media in Jerusalem, Netanyahu asserted that Israel’s objective was to not occupy Gaza, however to “free Gaza.”
The Israeli chief mentioned there’s a “pretty quick timetable” in thoughts for the following steps in Gaza.
The objectives in Gaza, he mentioned, embody 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 permitted a plan for the Israeli navy to take over Gaza Metropolis. The transfer sparked condemnation inside and out of doors Israel, and fears that the plan would exacerbate the Gaza Strip’s humanitarian issues and put the remaining dwelling hostages held by Hamas since Oct. 7, 2023, in additional hazard.
“We are going to win the conflict, with or with out the help of others,” Netanyahu mentioned.
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 mentioned the plan permitted 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 the easiest way to finish the conflict and the easiest way to finish it speedily,” he mentioned.
Netanyahu additionally mentioned he had directed Israel’s navy in current days to “convey in additional international journalists” — which could possibly be a placing improvement as their entry to Gaza has been restricted.
Netanyahu spoke with President Trump on Sunday in regards to the plan, in keeping with the prime minister’s workplace.
“The 2 mentioned Israel’s plans for taking management of the remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza to be able to convey in regards to the finish of the conflict, the discharge of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas,” Netanyahu’s workplace mentioned, thanking Mr. Trump for “his steadfast help of Israel because the begin of the conflict.”
U.S. particular envoy Steve Witkoff is assembly with the Qatari prime minister in Spain this weekend, with the principle goal being a dialogue of constructing “workable” a brand new joint Egyptian-Qatari proposal on the return of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, CBS Information has reported.
Two Arab officers instructed The Related Press that the brand new ceasefire framework would come with the discharge of all hostages — useless and dwelling — in return for the conflict’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 precise to resolve 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 Photographs 
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,” mentioned Ramesh Rajasingham with the U.N. humanitarian workplace. “Humanitarian situations are past horrific. Now we have frankly run out of phrases to explain it.”
Extra Palestinians killed as they search assist in Gaza
No less than 26 Palestinians have been killed whereas looking for assist within the Gaza Strip within the final day, hospitals and witnesses instructed the Related Press.
Hospital officers mentioned they obtained our bodies from areas the place Palestinians have been looking for assist — both alongside meals convoy routes or close to privately run assist distribution factors throughout Gaza.
The useless embody 10 who have been killed whereas ready for assist vehicles near the newly constructed Morag hall, which separates the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, mentioned Nasser hospital.
An additional six folks have been killed whereas ready for assist in northern Gaza close to the Zikim crossing, in keeping with the Hamas-run Gaza Well being Ministry and the Shifa hospital in Gaza Metropolis, which obtained the casualties.
Abdel Kareem Hana / AP 
Six different assist seekers have been killed whereas making an attempt to achieve websites operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Basis in Khan Younis and Rafah, Nasser hospital mentioned.
Responding to Related Press inquiries, the GHF media workplace mentioned: “There have been no incidents at or close to our websites right this moment and these incidents seem like linked to crowds making an attempt to loot assist convoy.”
Israel’s navy additionally mentioned there have been no incidents involving Israeli troops close to central Gaza assist websites.
Throughout his press convention, Netanyahu blamed Hamas for its function within the ongoing humanitarian disaster, together with civilian deaths, destruction and shortages of assist.
“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 assist distribution websites, he mentioned, however gave no particulars.
