Tents housing displaced Palestinians crowd the beach in Gaza City, as the sun sets over the Mediterranean Sea, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a wider military operation in Gaza. He insists Israel must “finish the job” and ensure the complete defeat of Hamas.
The move expands the targets beyond Gaza City to include “central camps” and Muwasi. These areas house over half a million displaced Palestinians, according to the U.N.
Critics within Netanyahu’s coalition had argued the original plan was too limited. The new announcement comes amid growing concern both inside Israel and from the international community.
Safe Zones Under Question
Netanyahu said “safe zones” will be designated for civilians. However, such zones have been attacked before during the conflict.
Heavy bombardment hit Gaza City late Sunday. Al Jazeera reported that correspondent Anas al-Sharif was killed in a strike. Three other journalists and a driver also died.
Israel’s military claimed al-Sharif had ties to Hamas. The journalist had previously denied any political affiliations. Press freedom groups had earlier warned he was under targeted pressure from Israel.
Demonstrators march near the border with Gaza calling for the release of all hostages held by Hamas and for an end to the ongoing war, in southern Israel, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025.
Talks With Trump and Global Pushback
Netanyahu’s office confirmed he spoke with former U.S. President Donald Trump about the expanded plan. He thanked Trump for his “steadfast support.”
Speaking to foreign media, Netanyahu rejected claims of starvation in Gaza. He said aid distribution sites would increase and foreign journalists would be allowed into the territory.
“Our aim is to free Gaza, not occupy it,” he said. He outlined goals including demilitarization, Israeli security control, and a non-Israeli civilian administration.
Hamas dismissed Netanyahu’s remarks as “blatant lies.”
U.S. Stands By Israel at UN
At a United Nations Security Council meeting, the U.S. defended Israel’s right to determine its own security measures. It dismissed accusations of genocide as false.
Other members voiced alarm. China called Gaza’s “collective punishment” unacceptable. Russia warned against “reckless escalation.”
The U.N. humanitarian office described the situation as “beyond horrific,” calling it outright starvation. Six Palestinians were reported killed while waiting for aid in northern Gaza.
Chaos at Aid Distribution Sites
Witnesses in central Gaza said gunfire targeted crowds near an Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid point. Awda hospital reported four deaths from Israeli fire.
At least 31 Palestinians died while seeking aid in multiple locations, hospitals said. Witnesses accused Israeli forces of shooting at people near the Morag corridor and southern aid zones.
Nasser hospital confirmed 15 deaths near Morag. Another six were killed near GHF sites in Khan Younis and Rafah.
GHF denied any incidents at their locations. Israel’s military said no troops were involved in aid site shootings that day.
Famine Threat and Civilian Toll
Israel’s offensive has displaced most Palestinians and pushed Gaza to the brink of famine.
Two more children died Saturday from malnutrition-related causes. This brings the child death toll from hunger to 100 since the war began.
The Health Ministry says 117 adults have also died of hunger since June. The war’s total death toll in Gaza now stands at 61,400, with about half being women and children.
The U.N. and independent experts regard these figures as the most credible available, despite the ministry’s Hamas-run administration.
