ALBAWABA- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Monday that Israel is advancing toward "full control" of the Gaza Strip, as relentless air and ground attacks killed over 300 Palestinians in just three days, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
In the early hours of Monday alone, at least 71 Palestinians were killed in Israeli raids, medical sources told Al Jazeera. The southern city of Khan Younis saw particularly heavy bombardment, with children among the victims.
Despite the soaring death toll and deepening humanitarian crisis, Netanyahu defended his government’s decision to allow only “basic” humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Responding to criticism from the Israeli right, he warned that allowing famine to take hold could erode global support. “We must avoid famine, both in reality and in perception,” he said via Telegram, adding that international legitimacy is essential for Israel’s military objectives.
Gaza’s Hamas-led government called on the international community to intervene urgently, demanding the daily entry of at least 500 aid trucks and 50 fuel tankers. It warned that the enclave is on the brink of “a terrifying humanitarian collapse.”
This comes as Israel prepares to escalate its ground operation under the newly dubbed “Chariots of Gideon” campaign.
The Israeli security cabinet recently approved plans to expand military operations to secure total control over Gaza, claiming the objective is to dismantle Hamas and rescue remaining hostages taken during the group’s October 7 attack on southern Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people, according to Israeli figures.
