Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel will take control of all of Gaza, despite growing international criticism and pressure to allow more humanitarian aid into the region. His statement comes as Israeli forces continue heavy air and ground attacks across the Gaza Strip.
In a video message on Monday, Netanyahu said that Israel is committed to achieving “complete victory” by freeing the remaining 58 hostages held by Hamas and destroying the group. He also confirmed the start of a new military campaign, called “Operation Gideon’s Chariots”, which targets Hamas’ fighters and infrastructure throughout Gaza.
As the military warned residents of Khan Younis to evacuate to the coast before an “unprecedented attack,” aid trucks were seen moving into northern Gaza. This follows Israel’s decision to ease its blockade and allow limited food supplies after facing strong criticism over growing hunger in Gaza.
Netanyahu admitted that even Israel’s closest allies in the U.S. were concerned about the humanitarian crisis. “Scenes of hunger are costing us vital support,” he said. The decision to allow aid appears to be aimed at calming international anger while still pursuing military goals.
Overnight, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 20 Palestinians. In the last 24 hours, the Israeli army says it struck 160 targets, including weapons storage and underground tunnels. Gaza’s health officials report that more than 500 people have been killed in Israeli attacks over the past eight days alone.
Aid agencies have warned of famine in Gaza, where 2.3 million people live. Palestinian media reported that 50 trucks carrying basic food supplies like flour and cooking oil are now being allowed in, while Israeli reports said baby food was also on the way.
A dramatic undercover Israeli raid in Khan Younis killed Ahmed Sarhan, a militant commander allied with Hamas. Israeli forces reportedly entered the area disguised as displaced people and later retreated under air cover after detaining Sarhan’s family.
Criticism is also coming from inside Israel. Former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said the continued presence of Hamas in Gaza showed a lack of planning by the government. He argued that if Israel had a plan for what comes after Hamas, the current debate over aid reaching militants wouldn’t exist.
Ceasefire talks in Qatar between Israel and Hamas have made no progress. Hamas has rejected Israeli proposals that would involve the group’s exile and the disarmament of Gaza. Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri blamed Israel for the failure of the talks and warned that increased military attacks could endanger the remaining hostages.
The war, which began after Hamas fighters attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages, has now killed more than 53,000 people in Gaza, according to local health officials. Nearly all of Gaza’s residents have been displaced by the ongoing conflict.
