Israel cites security as it defends renewed Gaza offensive despite growing international criticism
Israeli forces have killed at least 55 Palestinians in airstrikes in Gaza, continuing to bombard the enclave as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) insists it is acting to defend the state and its civilians in the face of ongoing threats from Hamas.
Despite mounting international pressure to halt military operations and allow unimpeded deliveries of aid, the IDF maintains that its actions are necessary to bring hostages home and eliminate Hamas’ terror capabilities.
In a statement posted on X, the IDF said: “The IDF was founded 77 years ago with a clear mission: To defend the State of Israel and its civilians. On October 7, 2023, Israel experienced the bloodiest attack in its history. Our civilians were massacred, raped, burned and taken hostage—58 of them are still held hostage by terrorists in Gaza in brutal, inhumane conditions.”
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“Nations must protect their citizens—Israel is no exception. To that end, the IDF has resumed its operational activities in Gaza, with one goal—the same goal that we have had since October 7, 2023—to bring our hostages home and eliminate Hamas’ terror capabilities.”
Britain announced it was suspending trade talks with Israel and summoning its ambassador over “egregious policies” in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, while European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas asked for a review of the EU-Israel trade deal, according to Dutch news agency ANP.
The war, now in its 20th month, has left Gaza in ruins and its population facing a worsening hunger crisis. It has strained Israel’s relations with much of the world and those with its closest ally, the United States, now appear to be wavering.
The United Nations said no humanitarian aid had been distributed yet in Gaza, although Israel eased its 11-week-old blockade on Monday.
Israel’s military said 93 UN aid trucks entered Gaza on Tuesday via Kerem Shalom “after a thorough security inspection”.
Indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas militants in Qatar appeared to falter again, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying he had decided to bring back the senior negotiating team from Doha for consultations.
Hamas accused Netanyahu of entering the talks in bad faith, pretending to participate in a bid to mislead global public opinion. “No real negotiations have taken place since last Saturday,” the Palestinian Islamist group said in a statement.
Israel conducted further airstrikes on Tuesday across the densely populated enclave and medics said the sites hit included two homes where children were among the 18 dead, and a school housing displaced families.
The IDF has repeatedly stated that Hamas uses civilian buildings for cover, and that its operations are aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure and rescuing hostages. Israel’s military, which on Monday warned those in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis to evacuate to the coast as it prepared for an “unprecedented attack”, had no comment. Hamas denies using civilian sites for military purposes.
Israeli strikes have killed more than 500 people in the past nine days as the military campaign has intensified, Gaza medics say.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told parliament he, along with the leaders of France and Canada, was “horrified” by Israel’s military escalation, repeating calls for a ceasefire.
The three nations had warned on Monday of “concrete actions” against Israel if it did not stop military operations in Gaza and lift restrictions on aid.
The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday said it agreed with Israel to allow delivery of urgent humanitarian aid from the Gulf country to Gaza, the state news agency WAM reported.
International pressure on Israel has mounted in recent days as Netanyahu’s government launched a renewed military offensive in Gaza.
The agreement was reached in a phone call between UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar.
According to WAM, the aid will initially cater to the food needs of around 15,000 civilians in Gaza. It will also include essential supplies for bakeries and critical items for infant care.
Israel’s ground and air offensive has displaced nearly all Gaza’s 2.3 million residents and killed more than 53,000, according to Gaza health authorities.
The campaign began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israeli communities near Gaza’s border in October 2023, killing about 1,200 people and seizing 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
