Netanyahu defends Gaza military offensive, says Israel must "finish the job"
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that Israel's goal was not to occupy Gaza, but to "free Gaza."
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that Israel's goal was not to occupy Gaza, but to "free Gaza."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his cabinet has approved plans to take over Gaza. The Israeli leader says the takeover would be temporary and they would eventually hand the territory over to friendly Arab forces that oppose Hamas. CBS News has this report.
The leading international authority on food crises predicted "widespread death" in Gaza without immediate action.
The local pause in fighting came days after ceasefire efforts between Israel and Hamas appeared to be in doubt.
For months, the U.N. and experts have warned that Palestinians in Gaza are at risk of famine, with reports of increasing numbers of people dying from causes related to malnutrition.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it would send its negotiating team to Qatar, this after Hamas said it had issued a "positive response" to a U.S.-mediated ceasefire proposal.
President Trump raised expectations last week when he told reporters in the Oval Office that there could be a ceasefire agreement within the next week.
The strikes come as President Trump on Friday said there could be a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas within the next week.
Israel drops all war-time restrictions, freeing people to return to their lives under a ceasefire with Iran, but uncertainty over the impact of 12 days of war leaves room for anxiety.
Israel, accused by activists of piracy, says it lawfully seized a Gaza-bound protest ship carrying Greta Thunberg as the crew was planning to breach its naval blockade.
An aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists was intercepted by Israeli forces en route to Gaza and arrived at an Israeli port on Monday. Turkey calls it an illegal and "heinous attack."
Meanwhile, the U.N. Food Program said 77 trucks carrying aid were stopped by hungry people who took the food before the trucks were able to reach their destination.
World leaders react to the killing of two Israeli Embassy staffers outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, as Israel blames antisemitic incitement.
The Israeli military said the new offensive in Gaza will not stop until the hostages are returned and Hamas is dismantled.
The American dual national Edan Alexander has been handed over by Hamas more than 19 months after he was taken hostage.
Edan Alexander, a 20-year-old Israeli American who has been held hostage since October 2023, will be released, Hamas announced Sunday.
The overall toll of 52,243 includes nearly 700 bodies for which the documentation process was recently completed, the Hamas-run health ministry said in its latest update.
The meeting between President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu comes amid a stepped-up offensive in Gaza that the Israeli military said is aimed at putting pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages.
Israel previously threatened Gaza with "complete destruction and devastation" if Hamas didn't hand over the remaining hostages.
Officials in Hamas-ruled Gaza say the new Israeli assault has killed more than 400 people, as Israel accuses Hamas of refusing to extend the ceasefire.
President Trump issued a "last warning" to Hamas to release all hostages it still holds even as the White House confirmed unprecedented direct U.S.-Hamas talks.
Six living hostages — including two who were held in Gaza for a decade — were released by Hamas Saturday.
Hamas released four bodies, including the youngest captive taken in the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack, Kfir Bibas, and his brother.
The Israeli prime minister, who met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also vowed to "finish the job" against Iran with United States support.
Hamas released dual U.S.-Israeli national Sagui Dekel-Chen along with two other hostages as the Gaza ceasefire remained on track after a tense week.
