Netanyahu reportedly seeking full control of Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to seek government support for his plan to take control of the entire Gaza Strip, according to Israeli news outlet ynet, citing senior officials close to the prime minister. Netanyahu’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the matter. The report came as ceasefire talks with Hamas stalled. In a video shared on social media Monday, Netanyahu said his goal was to free the residents of Gaza from the rule of Hamas terrorists. During a meeting Saturday with the families of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas, U.S. Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff said the Trump administration would seek a comprehensive end to the war in order to see the remaining 50 Israeli hostages returned at once. New videos released by Hamas over the weekend showed two emaciated hostages and triggered renewed calls for their release. Meanwhile, a group of nearly 600 retired Israeli security officials wrote a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump urging him to pressure Israel to end the war. Details about Netanyahu’s proposed occupation were not available as of Tuesday morning.

What is happening in Gaza? More than 60,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the war began nearly two years ago, according to the Hamas-run Palestinian Health Ministry. Last month, the World Health Organization estimated over 5,000 children under the age of 5 were admitted for outpatient treatment of malnutrition and dozens died due to starvation. Hundreds more people had been killed in Gaza while trying to access food, according to the United Nations. While international leaders have accused Israel of not doing enough to provide humanitarian aid to people in the region, the Israel Defense Forces said it has coordinated with foreign countries and aid groups to deliver food to Gaza. Over the weekend, 90,000 pro-Palestinian protesters in Sydney, Australia, marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to raise awareness of the humanitarian emergency.

Dig deeper: Read Elizabeth Russell’s report about Canada and France agreeing to recognize a Palestinian state.