Overview

• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a rare press conference on August 10 to defend the offensive, saying the goal is to defeat Hamas and “free Gaza” on a tight timetable while authorizing greater foreign media access.
• Israel’s Security Cabinet approved orders for the Israel Defense Forces to dismantle Hamas strongholds in Gaza City, the central camps and al-Mawasi and to funnel civilians into designated “safe zones” with aid.
• UN humanitarian officials report outright starvation in Gaza and confirm that at least 26 Palestinians were killed in the past day while seeking food along convoy routes and distribution points.
• President Donald Trump reaffirmed unwavering US support for Israel’s plan in a call with Netanyahu, even as European nations and UN Security Council members condemned the takeover at an emergency session.
• Hamas denounced Netanyahu’s remarks as “blatant lies” and accused him of blocking ceasefire negotiations while talks in Doha and Cairo remain stalled.