Signalling it might escalate its actions additional, the Israeli navy mentioned on Sunday considered one of its divisions that had operated in Lebanon, the place Israel fought Hamas’ Iranian-backed ally Hezbollah, was getting ready for attainable motion in Gaza.
It distributed a video of tanks unloaded in a area and a caption that learn: “Preparations of the thirty sixth Division for Operations within the Gaza Strip.”
At the least 45 Palestinians had been killed in Israeli strikes on Rafah and Khan Younis up to now on Sunday, well being authorities mentioned.
Palestinian officers on Sunday put the demise toll from almost 18 months of battle at over 50,000.
The Israeli navy mentioned it does its greatest to scale back hurt to civilians and questioned the demise toll supplied by well being authorities within the Hamas-run territory.
A lot of the lifeless in Gaza have been civilians, based on well being officers. Israel says they embody round 20,000 fighters. Hamas doesn’t disclose casualty figures.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has mentioned the goal of the battle is to destroy Hamas as a navy and governing entity. The goal of the brand new marketing campaign is to drive the group to surrender remaining hostages, he mentioned on Tuesday.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Netanyahu to “emphasise US help for Israel”, a State Division spokesperson mentioned. They mentioned Israel’s ongoing navy operations in Gaza, efforts to carry hostages dwelling and US strikes towards Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen, the spokesperson added.
Israel launched its offensive in Gaza after Hamas fighters stormed southern Israel on Oct 7, 2023, killing 1,200 individuals, largely civilians, and taking greater than 250 hostages, based on Israeli tallies.
“Israel’s navy offensive has prompted an appalling lack of life,” mentioned European Union international coverage chief Kaja Kallas. “So long as this battle continues, either side lose.”
Kallas added Israel should respect civilian lives and that threats to annex elements of Gaza have been unacceptable.
