"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the population of Gaza will be displaced to the south after his security cabinet approved an expanded military operation in the enclave that a minister described as a plan to “conquer” the territory.
The vote on Sunday came hours after the military said it would mobilize tens of thousands of reservists, strengthening its capacity to operate in the besieged Palestinian territory.
“One thing will be clear: there will be no in-and-out,” Netanyahu said in a Monday video message posted on X. “We’ll call up reserves to come, hold territory — we’re not going to enter and then exit the area, only to carry out raids afterward. That’s not the plan. The intention is the opposite.”
The plan would be implemented after US President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East next week to “provide a window of opportunity” for a hostage deal, the official added
"The plan then, is to displace Gaza’s entire population to the south of the enclave, following which the total the blockade of humanitarian aid may be lifted, the official said, adding that the military “will remain in every area it captures.”"
edition.cnn.com/2025/05/05/middleeast/israel-gaza-expansion-hnk-intl
Interesting article on BBC online this morning, written by Feargal Keane, hope that's his spelling. A bit of hope, as a contingent of injured and sick children were being bussed through Israel, and into Jordan, for treatment.
The same news story - Israel bombing gaza and footage, was reported on Sky, CNN, and Fox news.
I haven’t looked at European television.
Israeli air strikes have killed 103 people in Gaza since midnight, according to the Hamas-run civil defence agency
The air strikes came as Israel's 10-week blockade on aid entering Gaza continues - our correspondent in Jerusalem, Yolande Knell, looks at Israel's reasons for the blockade here
We're reporting people's stories inside Gaza all day - here's some of what we've heard so far
Israel does not allow journalists to enter Gaza, so we're being sent messages, voice notes and pictures from those living there
BBC repeats whatever is sent
Who knows.
But without UNRWA and their willingness to risk life and limb (so many have died or been injured) the Palestinians would be in a much worse state than they are even now.
The bravery and humanity must be commended.
he UN said on Monday that nine staff working for its Palestine refugee agency UNRWA will be sacked because they may have been involved in the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks against Israel.
Wonder how many, if any now
Wyllow I agree, it seems like something and nothing and Gaza needs food and medical supplies now, not sometime in June. The idea of using four distribution points was absolutely crazy and expecting someone to carry 40lbs of provisions to feed a family for two weeks for miles when people are under nourished and starving is frankly inhuman, so hopefully they'll come up with many more distribution centres. Stopping UNRWA from doing the distribution is unnecessary IMO, it has the experience to do this and the agencies that the US are bringing in, do not.
I don't feel a lot wiser reading that report foxie as so much depends on uncertain factors but glad its being discussed.
The aid plans are a nonsense.
There is a perfectly good organisation in the form of the UN that has been used in many countries over the decades to great success and indeed was keeping the Palestinians from starving in the run up to the Israeli government deciding that they would try to starve Hamas into submission which of course included every living soul on Gaza. It was a weapon of war.
What Netanyahu along with Trump are proposing represents only 1\10th of what is required, and they are attempting to differentiate between recipients.
wyllow I think that the aid is tied to an area identified as yet again another safe zone but will in effect become the only area (if Netanyahu has his way) available to the Palestinians. He is in effect ghettoising them.
www.timesofisrael.com/new-aid-group-well-start-gaza-operations-by-june-israel-to-lift-blockade-in-interim/
This is from today's Israeli media, this is just a snippet.
"Israel has blocked aid from entering Gaza since March 2, arguing that enough assistance entered Gaza during a six-week ceasefire and that Hamas was diverting aid from civilians. Nonetheless, the IDF has warned the political echelon that the Strip is on the brink of starvation, the Israeli official told The Times of Israel."
Genuine question - is this aid tied to all Gaza or to if all Gazan people are made to leave to a small area in the south?
I'd be interested to hear what the plans are David as there is no record I can find in todays news except for this from Reuters yesterday?
"UNITED NATIONS/WASHINGTON, May 14 (Reuters) - A U.S.-backed humanitarian organization will start work in Gaza by the end of May under a heavily-criticized aid distribution plan,
but has asked Israel to let the United Nations and others resume deliveries to Palestinians now until it is set up.
No humanitarian assistance has been delivered to Gaza since March 2, and a global hunger monitor has warned that half a million people face starvation - a quarter of the population in the enclave where Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas have been at war since October 2023."
Whitewavemark2
You do not call what should be a sovereign state a freedom zone.
Freedom for whom?
As I expected the US is organizing a neutral area away from Hamas control, where food and aid is available, civilians will be able to move to safety, whether Hamas will allow them to access that is another matter. I would expect men of fighting age to be separated from the rest.
I hope it works but no bets from me
I woukd like to acknowledge today is Nakba meaning catastrophe for the palistinian people which can easily be researched if anyone is interested.
I would also like to acknowledge the Jewish protesters in Berlin today supporting the palistinians on this special day. I have just been sent a photo and it is heartwarming to see the signs they carry.
Nothing but nothing justifies the Israeli forces bombardment of Gaza and their inhumane treatment of fellow human beings.
Nothing done in the name of Hamas can justify the slaughter of innocent Palestinians, many of whom were no born when Hamas were "elected". I am not pro Hamas or anti semitic, I am pro humanity and anti genocide.
You do not call what should be a sovereign state a freedom zone.
Freedom for whom?
Freedom for Trump and his family to make money out of Gaza's destruction? I'd like to believe that Trump has good intentions for the Palestinians but I don't think he sees them staying there, all he sees is a potential holiday resort for the wealthy. Syria and Qatar seem to have agreed to a Trump tower so why not Gaza is probably his thinking.
I'v been looking at the CNN news feed looking for any mention of Trump and Gaza. Two hours ago
"Trump floats Gaza "freedom zone," again proposing the US take over the enclave"
"President Donald Trump on Thursday again proposed the idea of the US taking over Gaza, offering the idea of a “freedom zone” as he continued to muse about redeveloping the war-torn enclave.
“If it’s necessary, I think I’d be proud to have the United States have it, take it, make it a freedom zone. Let some good things happen, put people in homes where they can be safe and Hamas is going to have to be dealt with,” Trump said at a business roundtable in Doha with top Qatari officials.
Trump’s efforts to end the Israel-Hamas conflict have so far proven elusive, and the former real estate developer has previously floated the idea of the US taking control and developing Gaza.
“We’re working very hard on Gaza, and Gaza’s been a territory of death and destruction for many years. And you know, I have concepts for Gaza that I think are very good: make it a freedom zone, let the United States get involved and make it just a freedom zone, have a real freedom zone,” Trump said.
He continued, “They’ve never solved the Gaza problem and if you look at it, I have aerial shots, I mean there’s practically no building standing, there’s no building. People are living under the rubble of buildings that collapsed, which is not acceptable, it’s tremendous death. And I want to see that be a freedom zone.”
Can anyone make head or tail out of his intentions?
More deaths last night,
But something positive coming from the freed hostages in Israel, its on the timeline at 10.11 this morning
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c1de39v0r1kt
"There are no reports of a breakthrough in Gaza ceasefire and hostage release talks in Doha, but dozens of Israelis freed from Hamas captivity are pushing for a deal to be done.
A group of more than 65 released hostages signed a letter to the Israeli prime minister and other ministers.
They wrote: “We believe the Israeli government now faces a genuine opportunity to return to the negotiating table. We urge all those involved in this process: Please do not walk away until a comprehensive deal is signed.”
After the US negotiated the release of American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander this week, they also addressed President Trump. “Do not let this historic momentum stop,” they said.
Yes, I don't want to dwell one it, just point out its not one sided and it certainly happens.
Wyllow3
Both extreme Israeli's and extreme Palestinians have used animal stereotypes going back a long time in discourse. Huge numbers of examples.
Animal stereotypes of Palestinians in Israeli discourse
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_stereotypes_of_Palestinians_in_Israeli_discourse
Jews and Israelis as animals in Palestinian discourse
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jews_and_Israelis_as_animals_in_Palestinian_discourse
Yes , I think every nationality does to a degree, but it is more rare to find members of a government using such language.
We can of course all think of some, but this would not be useful in this discussion and be a bit inflammatory I think.
Anniebach
Thank you
You are welcome😊
Both extreme Israeli's and extreme Palestinians have used animal stereotypes going back a long time in discourse. Huge numbers of examples.
Animal stereotypes of Palestinians in Israeli discourse
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_stereotypes_of_Palestinians_in_Israeli_discourse
Jews and Israelis as animals in Palestinian discourse
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jews_and_Israelis_as_animals_in_Palestinian_discourse
Thank you
Yes perhaps I should have said an extremely influential minority, because we know that the extreme settler movement has the Netanyahu's ear to the detriment of all other Israelis.
With respect you said “many Israelis “
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