Overview

• Israel’s Security Cabinet approved on August 8 a major operation for the military to occupy Gaza City, escalating the nearly two-year conflict.
• Foreign ministers of nine countries including Germany, Britain, France and Canada issued a joint statement strongly rejecting the plan, and over 20 additional nations condemned it as a dangerous escalation.
• Gaza civil defence reported at least six civilians were killed at central aid distribution points, while Gaza’s Health Ministry recorded 11 more adult deaths from malnutrition in the past 24 hours.
• US special envoy Steve Witkoff met Qatar’s prime minister in Spain as mediators from Egypt and Qatar prepare a ceasefire framework linking the release of all hostages to a full Israeli withdrawal.
• Families of the roughly 50 hostages still held in Gaza, about 20 believed alive, staged protests in Tel Aviv demanding a ceasefire and urgent steps to secure the captives’ freedom.