JERUSALEM. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday defended a new military offensive in Gaza that he said will be broader than previously announced, declaring that Israel “has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas” despite growing condemnation at home and abroad.
Netanyahu revealed that the security Cabinet last week ordered operations not only in Gaza City but also in the “central camps” and Muwasi areas sheltering more than half a million displaced people, according to the United Nations. These areas were not included in the government’s earlier announcement, prompting speculation that pressure from within his coalition influenced the expanded plan.
The Israeli leader promised “safe zones” for civilians, though designated areas have been struck in the past. Late Sunday, heavy bombardment was reported in Gaza City, where Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif, three other journalists, and a driver were killed near Shifa Hospital. Israel’s military confirmed the strike, alleging al-Sharif was a Hamas operative posing as a journalist, a claim he had previously denied.
Netanyahu told foreign media that Israel’s objectives include dismantling Hamas strongholds, demilitarizing Gaza, maintaining “overriding security control,” and placing governance under a non-Israeli civilian administration. He rejected accusations of a starvation policy, stating, “There is no hunger. There was a shortage, and there was certainly no policy of starvation.” U.N. officials, however, said humanitarian conditions are “beyond horrific” and that starvation is already taking place.
The conflict, now in its 22nd month, has left most Palestinians displaced and pushed the territory toward famine. Gaza’s Health Ministry said at least 31 Palestinians were killed on Sunday while seeking aid, with witnesses accusing Israeli forces of firing on crowds in multiple locations. Since June, at least 117 adults and 100 children have died from malnutrition-related causes, in addition to the ministry’s war death toll of 61,400 people — roughly half of them women and children.
International reaction remained sharply divided. The United States reiterated its support for Israel and dismissed genocide allegations, while China and Russia criticized what they called collective punishment and reckless escalation. Germany, one of Israel’s closest allies, halted certain military exports over concerns about the Gaza offensive, though it said overall relations remain unchanged.
Hamas denounced Netanyahu’s remarks as “blatant lies,” accusing Israel of worsening Gaza’s humanitarian crisis and committing atrocities against civilians.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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