In a report on Thursday, the medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) described the violence as systemic and orchestrated. It called on the Israeli authorities to stop GHF operating and to open all border crossings to let in both commercial goods and humanitarian aid.
The war has created a humanitarian disaster in Gaza, most of which UN-backed experts say is at the point of famine in terms of food consumption. The territory is also experiencing mass deprivation as a result of heavy restrictions imposed by Israel on what is allowed in – something it says is aimed at weakening Hamas.
The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said July was the worst month for cases of acute malnutrition in children in Gaza, affecting nearly 12,000 under the age of five.
Netanyahu is reported to have decided in recent days on the conquest of Gaza, raising tensions with military chiefs.
In a meeting with Netanyahu on Tuesday, the IDF Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, is said to have warned that controlling Gaza could entrap troops and further endanger the hostages. He is reported to have presented an alternative plan involving encircling remaining Hamas strongholds rather than full occupation.
Israeli media say that, despite some misgivings, the security cabinet is expected to approve Netanyahu’s plan.
The families of hostages have reacted with alarm, fearing such a move could push their captives into killing them.
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that taking over Gaza was “really up to Israel”. The US has been mediating in indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas for months, but negotiations broke down two weeks ago.
The war began after Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 back to Gaza as hostages. Israel launched a massive military offensive in response, which has killed at least 61,158 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.