Overview

• Israel’s Security Cabinet approved plans on August 8 for the military to seize Gaza City, adjacent central camps and al Mawasi to dismantle Hamas’s last strongholds
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the offensive is essential to demilitarize the enclave, maintain overriding Israeli security control and pave the way for hostage releases
• United Nations Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča warned the takeover would likely cause massive displacement, further killings and widespread destruction
• UN humanitarian officials report “starvation, pure and simple” in Gaza with severe malnutrition deaths among children, contradicting Netanyahu’s assertion that there is no hunger
• The United States defended Israel’s actions at an emergency UN Security Council meeting while Britain, France, China, Russia and other key members condemned the plan as a potential violation of international law