Netanyahu Condemns Australia's Plans for Palestinian Recognition; Israeli Strike Results in Journalists' Deaths

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says it’s “shameful” for countries including Australia to seek recognition of a Palestinian state, as he said he expected to complete a new Gaza offensive “fairly quickly”.

Netanyahu, speaking after his security cabinet on Friday approved a much-criticised plan to take control of Gaza City said he had no choice but to “complete the job” and defeat Hamas to free hostages seized from Israel.

Netanyahu’s office said on Sunday the prime minister had spoken with US President Donald Trump about “Israel’s plans to take control of the remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza”.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli leader said the new Gaza offensive aimed to tackle two remaining Hamas strongholds in what he called his only option because of the Palestinian group’s refusal to lay down its arms. Hamas says it will not disarm unless an independent Palestinian state is established.

It was not clear when the offensive, which would be the latest in successive attempts by the Israeli military to clear the militants from Gaza City, would begin.

“The timeline that we set for the action is fairly quickly. We want, first of all, to enable safe zones to be established so the civilian population of Gaza City can move out,” he added.

Netanyahu criticises Palestinian statehood plans

During a briefing with foreign reporters, Netanyahu was asked about international criticism of the Gaza City takeover, responding that Australia would do the same.

“They know what they would do if they were right next to Melbourne or right next to Sydney,” the prime minister said.

“You had these horrific attacks. I think that you would do it — at least what we’re doing. Probably, maybe not as efficiently and as precisely as we’re doing it.”

He was also asked about Australia’s plans to recognise a Palestinian state, saying it would not bring peace to Israel.

“To have European countries and Australia march into that rabbit hole, just like that, fall right into it and buy this canard is disappointing, and I think it’s actually shameful,” Netanyahu said.

“It’s not going change our position. Again, we will not commit national suicide to get a good op-ed for two minutes.”

Israel won’t occupy Gaza: Netanyahu

Israel’s military chief has voiced opposition to occupying the entire Gaza Strip and has warned that expanding the offensive could endanger the lives of hostages Hamas is still holding and draw its troops into protracted and deadly guerrilla warfare.

Netanyahu said his goal was not to occupy Gaza. “We want a security belt right next to our border, but we don’t want to stay in Gaza. That’s not our purpose,” he said.

European representatives at the United Nations said famine was unfolding in Gaza and Israel’s plan would only make things worse.

According to the UN, at least 1.9 million people, or about 90 per cent of the population across the Gaza Strip have so far been displaced during the war. Source: AP / Jehad Alshrafi

“Expanding military operations will only endanger the lives of all civilians in Gaza, including the remaining hostages, and result in further unnecessary suffering,” Denmark, France, Greece, Slovenia and the United Kingdom said in a joint statement.

“This is a manmade crisis, and therefore urgent action is needed to halt starvation and to surge aid into Gaza,” they said.

Malnutrition is widespread in the enclave due to what international aid agencies say is a deliberate plan by Israel to restrict aid. Israel rejects that allegation, blaming Hamas for the hunger among Palestinians and saying a lot of aid has been distributed.

The US representative at the Security Council defended Netanyahu and said Washington was committed to addressing humanitarian needs, freeing the hostages and achieving peace.

Netanyahu said Israel was working with Washington on creating a surge of aid into Gaza, including by land.

Al Jazeera journalists killed

Gaza City, the enclave’s most populous centre, came under escalating Israeli air strikes late on Sunday, witnesses said. At least five people were killed at a sandwich shop in the Sabra neighbourhood, health officials at al-Shifa Hospital said.

Palestinian media said a missile hit a tent used by journalists near the hospital, and the head of al-Shifa Hospital, Muhammad Abu Salamiyah, said on Al Jazeera television that seven people were killed there. Tank fire was also reported in the area.

Al Jazeera said five of its staff died in the attack including journalists Anas Al Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh and three photojournalists.

A press freedom group and a UN expert previously warned that Al Sharif’s life was in danger due to his reporting from Gaza. UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan said last month that Israel’s claims against him were unsubstantiated.

In July, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urged the international community to protect Al Sharif.

Al Sharif, whose X account showed more than 500,000 followers, posted on the platform minutes before his death that Israel had been intensely bombarding Gaza City for more than two hours.

Calling Al Sharif “one of Gaza’s bravest journalists,” Al Jazeera said the attack “is a desperate attempt to silence voices in anticipation of the occupation of Gaza.”

Israel’s military posted on X: “STRUCK: Hamas terrorist Anas Al-Sharif, who posed as an Al Jazeera journalist”. It accused Al Sharif of being the head of a Hamas cell saying he “was responsible for advancing rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF (Israeli) troops” citing intelligence and documents found in Gaza as evidence.

CPJ says at least 186 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza since October 7 2023.