Signalling it may 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 making ready for doable motion in Gaza.
It distributed video of tanks unloaded in a discipline 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 to this point on Sunday, well being authorities mentioned.
Palestinian officers on Sunday put the dying toll from almost 18 months of battle at over 50,000.
The Israeli navy mentioned it does its greatest to cut back hurt to civilians and questioned the dying toll offered by well being authorities within the Hamas-run territory.
A lot of the useless in Gaza have been civilians, in response to 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 purpose of the warfare is to destroy Hamas as a navy and governing entity. The purpose 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 assist for Israel”, a State Division spokesperson mentioned. They mentioned Israel’s ongoing navy operations in Gaza, efforts to convey hostages dwelling and US strikes in opposition to 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 folks, largely civilians, and taking greater than 250 hostages, in response to Israeli tallies.
“Israel’s navy offensive has brought about an appalling lack of life,” mentioned European Union overseas coverage chief Kaja Kallas. “So long as this warfare continues, either side lose.”
Kallas added Israel should respect civilian lives and that threats to annex elements of Gaza had been unacceptable.
