In Photos: Benjamin Netanyahu defends new military offensive in Gaza, says it will be wider than announced

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday defended a new military offensive in Gaza that is more sweeping than previously announced, declaring in the face of growing condemnation at home and abroad that Israel "has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas." (Pics/APF)

Updated On: 2025-08-11 01:21 PM IST

Compiled by : ronak mastakar

Pic/AFP

Even as more Israelis express concern over the 22-month war, Netanyahu said the security Cabinet last week instructed the dismantling of Hamas strongholds not only in Gaza City but also in the "central camps" and Muwasi

The camps, sheltering well over a half-million displaced people, according to the UN, had not been part of Israel's announcement on Friday. It was not clear why, though Netanyahu faced criticism this weekend within his ruling coalition that targeting Gaza City was not enough. Netanyahu said there would be "safe zones," but such designated areas have been bombed in the past

Late on Sunday, heavy bombardment was reported in Gaza City. Shortly before midnight local time, broadcaster Al Jazeera said correspondent Anas al-Sharif was killed in a strike. Rami Mohanna, administrative director at the nearby Shifa Hospital, said the strike hit a tent for Al Jazeera journalists outside the hospital's walls. Along with al-Sharif, three other journalists and a driver were killed

Israel's military confirmed it, asserting al-Sharif had "posed as a journalist" and alleging he was with Hamas. Al-Sharif had denied having any political affiliations. The Committee to Protect Journalists last month said it was gravely concerned for his safety and said he was a "targeted by an Israeli military smear campaign"

Rejecting starvation in Gaza as well as a "global campaign of lies," Netanyahu spoke to foreign media just before an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, a platform for outrage but little action on the war

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