Israeli military says Hamas spokesman killed in attack

The Israel Defense Forces on Sunday said it had killed Hudahaifa Kahlout, the spokesman for the military wing of the terror group Hamas. Troops were expected to target more Hamas leaders as they continued the military operation in Gaza, said Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, in a statement. The confirmation of his death came one day before Israel’s security cabinet met to discuss the expanding operation in Gaza. Officials on Sunday received an update on the plan to take over Gaza City and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to hold a vote on a proposed hostage ceasefire deal, according to local media reports. Some security officials have warned that the current plan will endanger the remaining hostages and soldiers, and will exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Israel is facing growing pressure from foreign leaders to end the war, and some Western countries are expected to recognize Palestinian statehood at a United Nations meeting later this month.

How are other groups trying to pressure Israel to stop the offensive? A flotilla of about 20 ships left Barcelona on Sunday bound for the Gaza Strip. The boats are carrying food, water, and medicine, along with about 300 activists from 44 countries, according to an organization called the Global Sumud Flotilla. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg is aboard one of the boats, and dozens more ships are expected to join the flotilla as it makes its way to Gaza. Thunberg and a group of activists in June attempted a similar journey to break Israel’s blockade of the region, but IDF authorities intercepted them before they reached shore.

Dig deeper: Read Christina Grube’s report about the Trump administration planning to deny visas for Palestinian representatives ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.