Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu introduced on Monday that he would quickly direct the navy on an up to date technique to satisfy Israel’s three said warfare aims in Gaza: defeating Hamas, releasing hostages, and making certain Gaza now not threatens Israel.
“Later this week I’ll instruct the IDF on methods to obtain the three warfare aims we now have set,” Netanyahu instructed his cupboard.
In keeping with Channel 12 and the Jerusalem Publish, the brand new plan may embrace re-occupying all of Gaza, particularly Gaza Metropolis, the place Israeli officers imagine some hostages are being held.
UN Safety Council Assembly looms
The announcement comes on the eve of a key United Nations Safety Council session, known as by Israel with help from the US and Panama, to attract international consideration to the plight of the remaining 49 hostages nonetheless held in Gaza, 27 of whom are believed to be useless.
International Minister Gideon Saar emphasised: “The world should put an finish to the phenomenon of kidnapping civilians. It have to be entrance and centre on the world stage.”
Palestinian authority condemns “leaked” plan
The Palestinian Authority’s overseas ministry denounced the reported technique shift, calling it a “leaked” re-occupation plan. The ministry urged international powers to dam what it described as a transfer towards additional navy escalation.
Mounting strain on Netanyahu
Netanyahu is beneath intensifying strain from each hostage households. Tons of of ex-defense and intelligence leaders signed an open letter urging US President Donald Trump to intervene.
“Netanyahu is main Israel and the hostages to wreck,” mentioned the Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board. “Increasing the warfare endangers the lives of the hostages, who’re already in quick mortal hazard.”
Dire situations in Gaza spark outrage
Whereas Israel faces worldwide requires restraint, humanitarian situations in Gaza proceed to deteriorate. Gaza’s civil protection mentioned Israeli fireplace killed 19 individuals Monday, together with 9 ready for meals assist.
UN Chief: ‘An affront to humanity’
UN Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk condemned the humanitarian state of affairs in Gaza as “heart-rending and insupportable.”
“That we now have reached this stage is an affront to our collective humanity,” Turk mentioned. He urged Israel to urgently enable assist to enter Gaza, warning that continued denial “could quantity to a warfare crime.”
He additionally described not too long ago launched hostage movies as “surprising” and known as for quick Crimson Cross entry to the captives.
22 months of warfare
The battle started with Hamas’s October 2023 assault that killed 1,219 individuals in Israel, largely civilians. Since then, Israel’s navy marketing campaign has killed not less than 60,933 individuals in Gaza, additionally largely civilians, in line with the Hamas-run well being ministry.