Israel will take control of “all the territory” of Gaza while also working to prevent famine among Palestinians for “practical and diplomatic” reasons, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video message on Telegram on Monday.
“The fighting is intense and we are making progress. We will take control of all the territory of the Strip,” Netanyahu said, adding that Israel must act “in a way that cannot be stopped.”
Acknowledging pressure from key allies, Netanyahu said Israel was “approaching the red line” regarding hunger in Gaza. “Our greatest friends in the world” had told him there is “one thing we cannot stand. We cannot accept images of hunger, mass hunger. We cannot stand that. We will not be able to support you,” he said.
“Therefore, to achieve victory, we need to somehow solve the problem,” the Israeli prime minister said.
The remarks come as the United Nations warns that “everyone in Gaza is hungry” and estimates that without immediate action, nearly a quarter of the population could face famine.
The “greatest friends” reference is likely to include the US, Israel’s biggest arm supplier and a key ally in providing the increasingly isolated country diplomatic cover on the world stage.
On the final day of his Gulf tour last Friday, US president Donald Trump said people were starving in Gaza and the US would have the situation in the territory “taken care of”. European allies – including Germany and Britain – also voiced deepening concern over the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza caused by the aid blockade.
Palestinian media reported that 50 trucks carrying flour, cooking oil and legumes would be allowed into Gaza later on Monday, while Israeli media said nine trucks with baby food were expected to enter in coming hours.
Humanitarian aid trucks have been seen at the Kerem Shalom crossing, though no aid is confirmed to have been delivered yet.
The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported at least 23 Palestinians killed since dawn Monday in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. Rescuers said up to 130 people, including many women and children, were killed in strikes over the weekend.
Israel announced an intensification of its military campaign on Sunday, with five divisions now operating in Gaza aiming for “complete control” in areas where they operate, according to military statements.
Gaza’s 2.1 million Palestinians face “critical risk” of famine and “extreme levels of food insecurity” as Israel’s aid blockade continues, according to a UN-backed assessment released last Monday.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report identified a “major deterioration” in conditions since October 2024, though it concluded famine is not currently occurring.
Around 244,000 people are experiencing “catastrophic” levels of food insecurity, with the report stating half a million people – one in five – face starvation in Gaza.
The assessment found 93% of Gaza’s population (1.95 million people) are living through high levels of acute food insecurity.
(Pictures: EPA/HAITHAM IMAD)
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