Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday held talks with US President Donald Trump about plans to grab the remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza, with the goal of ending the conflict, securing the discharge of hostages and defeating Hamas.
Netanyahu additionally expressed gratitude for Trump’s “steadfast assist” in finishing up the plan.
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has simply spoken with US President Donald Trump. The 2 mentioned Israel’s plans for taking management of the remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza with a view to carry in regards to the finish of the conflict, the discharge of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas. Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked President Trump for his steadfast assist of Israel because the begin of the conflict,” Israel’s Prime Minister’s Workplace mentioned in an announcement.
Netanyahu mentioned Israel deliberate to broaden the variety of support distribution factors in Gaza, however informed native media: “There is no such thing as a starvation. There was no starvation. There was a scarcity, and there was actually no coverage of hunger.” Rejecting such claims as a part of a “international marketing campaign of lies,” he addressed international journalists forward of an emergency United Nations Safety Council assembly – a discussion board for expressing outrage however producing little motion on the battle.
“Our aim is to not occupy Gaza, our aim is to free Gaza,” he declared, outlining goals to demilitarise the territory, guarantee “overriding safety management” by the Israeli army, and place governance within the fingers of a non-Israeli civilian authority. He additionally mentioned he had instructed the army to “carry in additional international journalists” – a notable shift, as they’ve to this point solely been allowed in underneath army escort through the conflict.
Once more holding Hamas answerable for a lot of Gaza’s plight – together with civilian casualties, destruction and shortages – Netanyahu mentioned: “Hamas nonetheless has hundreds of armed terrorists,” claiming that Palestinians are “begging” to be liberated from them.
Defending a brand new army push in Gaza that’s broader than had been beforehand revealed, Netanyahu insisted, amid rising criticism domestically and overseas, that Israel “has no alternative however to complete the job and full the defeat of Hamas.” He mentioned that final week, the safety cupboard had ordered the dismantling of Hamas strongholds not simply in Gaza Metropolis but additionally within the “central camps” and Muwasi. In keeping with the Related Press, a supply acquainted with the operation confirmed that the plan covers each areas, talking on situation of anonymity as they weren’t authorised to transient the media.
Hamas issued a prolonged response, dismissing Netanyahu’s remarks as “blatant lies.”
US backs Israel at Safety Council, rejects genocide claims
The US backed Israel, asserting it has the suitable to find out what greatest serves its safety, and dismissed accusations of genocide in Gaza as unfounded.
As a everlasting member of the Safety Council, Washington holds veto energy and may block any proposed measures.
A number of different council members, together with United Nations officers, voiced concern. China mentioned the “collective punishment” of Gaza’s inhabitants was unacceptable, whereas Russia cautioned towards a “reckless intensification of hostilities.”
“That is now not a looming starvation disaster; that is hunger,” mentioned Ramesh Rajasingham of the UN humanitarian workplace. “Humanitarian situations are past horrific. Now we have frankly run out of phrases to explain it.”
The deaths from starvation come along with the conflict toll of 61,400 Palestinians reported by the well being ministry. The ministry – a part of the Hamas-run administration and staffed by medical personnel – doesn’t differentiate between militants and civilians however estimates that roughly half of these killed have been girls and kids.
The United Nations and unbiased analysts regard it as probably the most credible supply of casualty figures within the battle.
(With Related Press inputs)
