Israel’s security cabinet has approved a plan to takeover control of Gaza City, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says
A statement says most of the ministers believed the “alternative plan presented to the Cabinet would not achieve the defeat of Hamas or the return of the abductees”
Earlier, the UN warned that Israel expanding military operations risked “catastrophic consequences” for Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages
The controversial escalation faces opposition within Israel – including by hostages’ families – and is likely to further isolate the country internationally, BBC Middle East correspondent says.
Netanyahu’s government is under growing pressure to end the conflict and allow more aid into Gaza
Israel launched its war in Gaza following Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack, in which it killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages back to Gaza
Israel’s massive military offensive has killed at least 61,158 Palestinians since then, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry
The Israeli government does not allow international news organisations, including the BBC, into Gaza to report freely
Fifty hostages still being held in Gaza
As we reported earlier, the families of hostages have condemned plans to take over Gaza City as they say it will put the lives of their loved ones at risk.
There are 50 hostages still being held in Gaza, 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
The hostages are among the 251 people who were taken during a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, where about 1,200 people were killed.
About a week ago, Hamas released video of Israeli hostage Evyatar David, who was abducted from the Nova music festival. The video showed him in an emaciated state, with his brother saying he was a “human skeleton”.
Families and supporters of the hostages have long called for an immediate end to the war in Gaza and the return of all remaining hostages.
Credit: BBC
