Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday sought to defend a new army offensive in certainly one of Gaza‘s most populated areas amid rising condemnation at residence and overseas, declaring that Israel “has no selection however to complete the job and full the defeat of Hamas.”
He spoke to international media simply earlier than an emergency assembly of the United Nations Safety Council on Gaza. Notably, Netanyahu stated he has directed Israel’s army to “carry in additional international journalists” — which might be a putting improvement, as they haven’t been allowed into Gaza past army embeds throughout 22 months of warfare.
“Our objective is to not occupy Gaza, our objective is to free Gaza,” Netanyahu asserted.
He additionally rejected what he known as a “world marketing campaign of lies” — and stated Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany, certainly one of Israel’s strongest backers, had “buckled beneath” 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 general insurance policies of friendship haven’t modified.
Netanyahu stated there’s a “pretty quick timetable” for subsequent steps in Gaza, however didn’t give specifics. The objectives, he stated, embrace demilitarizing the territory, the Israeli army having “overriding safety management” and a non-Israeli civilian administration in cost.
Netanyahu once more blamed a lot of Gaza’s issues on the Hamas militant group, together with civilian deaths, destruction and assist shortages.
“Hamas nonetheless has hundreds of armed terrorists,” he asserted, including that Palestinians are “begging” to be free of them.
The prime minister, who has asserted that there’s “no hunger in Gaza,” did acknowledge starvation, saying, “there was an issue with deprivation, no query about it.” Israel desires to extend the variety of assist distribution websites, he stated.
U.S. defends Israel at Safety Council assembly
The USA defended Israel, saying it has the appropriate to determine 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.
Samah Matar poses for a photograph together with her sons Yousef, 6, in her arms, and Amir, 4, who are suffering from malnutrition and cerebral palsy, at a U.N.-run faculty in Gaza Metropolis, Saturday, July 26, 2025.
Jehad Alshrafi/ AP Picture
Different council members, and U.N. officers, expressed alarm. China known as the “collective punishment” of individuals in Gaza unacceptable. Russia warned in opposition to a “reckless intensification of hostilities.”
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“That is not a looming starvation disaster; that is hunger,” stated Ramesh Rajasingham with the U.N. humanitarian workplace.
“Humanitarian circumstances are past horrific. We now have frankly run out of phrases to explain it.”
Holding their pots, Palestinians wait to get donated meals at a group kitchen in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, June 2, 2025.
Abdel Kareem Hana/ AP Picture
Extra Palestinians killed as they search assist
At the least 31 Palestinians have been killed whereas searching for assist in Gaza, hospitals and witnesses stated.
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 as individuals tried to succeed in meals distributions or waited 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, in response to Nasser hospital.
The state of affairs is a “dying lure,” stated Jamal al-Laweh, who stated Israeli forces opened fireplace there.
“However I’ve no different option to feed the children.”
Six have been killed whereas ready for assist in northern Gaza close to the Zikim crossing, in response to Gaza’s Well being Ministry and Shifa hospital.
In central Gaza, witnesses stated they heard warning photographs earlier than fireplace was aimed towards crowds attempting to succeed in a distribution website operated by the Israeli-backed and U.S.-funded Gaza Humanitarian Basis. The AP couldn’t independently verify who fired. Awda hospital stated 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 stated.
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 stated: “There have been no incidents at or close to our websites as we speak and these incidents look like linked to crowds attempting to loot assist convoy.” Israel’s army stated there have been no incidents involving troops close to central Gaza assist websites.
Seven individuals have been killed in airstrikes, native hospitals stated — three close to the fishermen’s port in Gaza Metropolis and 4, two of them youngsters, in a tent in Khan Younis. Israel’s army didn’t instantly remark.
Starvation dying 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 because the warfare started.
At the least 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 warfare 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 girls and youngsters.
Omniya Mahra, holds shirtless for a photograph her sons Oday, 4, left, and Mohammed, 3, who are suffering from malnutrition and a genetic nerve dysfunction, on the Pals of the Affected person Hospital in Gaza Metropolis, Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
AP Picture/Jehad Alshrafi
The U.N. and unbiased specialists take into account it probably the most dependable supply on warfare casualties.
Labor strike urged in Israel over looming offensive
Hostages’ relations urged a labor strike in Israel subsequent week over the plans to broaden army operations in Gaza Metropolis, fearing it would endanger their family members.
Fifty hostages stay after being taken within the Hamas-led assault on Oct. 7, 2023, that sparked the warfare. Twenty are believed to be alive.
Lishay Miran-Lavi, whose husband, Omri, is among the many hostages, appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump and particular envoy Steve Witkoff to halt the preventing.
Additionally Sunday, Israeli Protection Minister Israel Katz toured a part of the Israeli-occupied West Financial institution, the place about 40,000 Palestinians have been pushed from their properties this 12 months in the West Financial institution’s largest displacement since Israel captured the territory in 1967.
Israel says the operations are wanted to stamp out militancy, as violence by all sides has surged because the warfare in Gaza started. Katz stated the army would stay within the space’s refugee camps at the least till the tip of the 12 months.
Shurafa reported from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, and Magdy from Cairo. Related Press writers Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel; Edith M. Lederer on the United Nations and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed.
