Newsletters
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a recently released video that Israel will take control of all areas in the Gaza Strip while explaining the decision to allow limited humanitarian aid into the enclave.
According to Netanyahu, the aid decision was made because Israel was "rapidly approaching the red line, a situation where we could lose control and then everything falls apart."
"We are going to take control of all areas of Gaza, that's what we are going to do," Netanyahu said.
"To complete the victory, defeat Hamas and free our hostages, we must not reach a state of starvation—both practically and politically, they simply won't support us," Netanyahu said, suggesting that international support would wane if a famine develops in Gaza.
The prime minister added that Israeli troops "are doing great work in Gaza, including this morning," though he indicated he could not elaborate on specific operations.
Israeli forces conducted intensive strikes across various parts of the Gaza Strip, killing 30 Palestinians, according to health sources who spoke to Anadolu Agency (AA).
In southern Gaza's Khan Younis, 15 Palestinians were killed in 14 Israeli airstrikes targeting homes and tents sheltering displaced civilians. In the central Gaza Strip, five Palestinians were killed in airstrikes on the El-Faluce Market in western Jabalia refugee camp, where civilians were present, while two Palestinians died in strikes on Gaza City's Al-Yarmuk area.
Eight more Palestinians, including three children and one woman, lost their lives in four airstrikes on various parts of Deir al-Balah and Nusayrat Refugee Camp, according to the health sources.
In contrast to Netanyahu's statements, far-right Finance Minister and Religious Zionism party chairman Bezalel Smotrich insisted that "no aid is entering Hamas" and accused those who say otherwise of "lying."
"What we've been seeing since yesterday is systemic madness and complete irresponsibility. Let's start with the simplest thing—no aid is entering Hamas. Anyone who says otherwise is lying. I led the demand to stop this foolishness. I'm the one who practically led the solution regarding civilian companies, and I'm telling you that what was will not be," Smotrich said.
He added that, "None of the food and medicine that will be transferred will reach Hamas. The operational method is different from before. We are conquering and clearing until Hamas is destroyed."
The ongoing Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, which began on Oct. 7, 2023, has resulted in 53,339 Palestinian deaths and 121,034 injuries, according to the latest figures provided in the report.
2 min read
