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Netanyahu says all of Gaza will be under Israel's control by the end of its offensive
Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is “prepared” for an opportunity for a temporary ceasefire and hostage release deal.
He says Israeli forces have “pounded” their enemy in the south and withstood “incredible” amounts of pressure to stop the war.
On the subject of Operation Gideon’s Chariots, the new Israeli ground offensive in Gaza, Netanyahu says three days ago he made the decision to begin the next stage of the war. He says:
At the end of this campaign, all of the territories of the Gaza Strip will be under Israel’s security control.
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Benjamin Netanyahu says he has been hearing from Israel’s “greatest friends” who have told him that they will give him their full support and send weapons, but that they “cannot accept a situation where there’s a humanitarian crisis in Gaza”.
He says Israel has developed a new three-stage programme with the US to distribute basic food items to the civilian population in Gaza.
This plan includes bringing basic food items “to prevent a humanitarian crisis now”, opening food distribution points by American companies secured by Israeli forces, and creating a “sterile zone” in the south where Gaza’s civilians can get “full humanitarian assistance”, he says.
Benjamin Netanyahu says Iran is still a “major threat” to Israel.
Israel is working in “full coordination” with the US and hopes to achieve a deal that will prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear arms, he says.
In any case, the State of Israel retains the right to protect itself from a regime that’s ready to destroy it.
Netanyahu says all of Gaza will be under Israel's control by the end of its offensive
Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is “prepared” for an opportunity for a temporary ceasefire and hostage release deal.
He says Israeli forces have “pounded” their enemy in the south and withstood “incredible” amounts of pressure to stop the war.
On the subject of Operation Gideon’s Chariots, the new Israeli ground offensive in Gaza, Netanyahu says three days ago he made the decision to begin the next stage of the war. He says:
At the end of this campaign, all of the territories of the Gaza Strip will be under Israel’s security control.
Netanyahu says Israel 'probably' killed Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar
Benjamin Netanyahu has begun speaking at a press conference where he says Israel has achieved “a lot” in its “clear and justified” goal of defeating Hamas, but he adds that “our work isn’t over yet”.
The Israeli leader says his forces killed Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader who was the rincipal architect of the attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, and “probably” his brother Mohammed Sinwar.
Mohammed Sinwar was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza last week, according to reports.
Caspar Veldkamp, the foreign minister of the Netherlands, has condemned the shooting and said he has “requested clarification from the Israeli authorities.”
The Netherlands is “considering further steps,” he wrote on X, adding:
Diplomats should be able to do their work and threatening them is unacceptable.
Our video team have produced this report of the Jenin shooting
UN says no aid yet distributed in Gaza due to insecure access
No humanitarian aid has yet been distributed in the Gaza Strip, the United Nations said on Wednesday, two days after Israel lifted an 11-week blockade and began allowing limited deliveries into the territory through the Kerem Shalom crossing.
“So far … none of the supplies have been able to leave the Kerem Shalom loading area,” said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, adding that it was because Israeli authorities had only allowed access within Gaza “that we felt was insecure” and where looting was likely due to the prolonged deprivation.
Jenin shooting: all you need to know so far
The Israeli military said that it fired near a diplomatic delegation which it said deviated from an approved route in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday.
Diplomatic sources said European diplomats were part of the delegation to the West Bank city of Jenin. The military said “the delegation deviated from the approved route and entered an area where they were not authorised to be” and that soldiers fired “warning shots to distance them away.” No injuries or damage were reported, the military said.
An aid worker, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisal, said a delegation of about 20 diplomats was being briefed about the situation in Jenin by the Palestinian Authority. The group of regional, European and western diplomats were standing near the entrance of the Jenin refugee camp when they heard gunshots just before 2pm, though it was unclear where the shots came from, she said.
The Turkish foreign ministry said that some diplomats from its consulate in Jerusalem were present and were among those targeted in the incident, which it said“endangered the lives of diplomats”. Turkey condemned “in the strongest terms the opening of fire by Israeli soldiers”, and called for an investigation and accountability for those responsible.
Two Irish diplomats were among the European delegation that shots were fired in the vicinity of by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Ireland’s government said. Ireland’s deputy premier Simon Harris condemned the incident “in the strongest terms” and said it was “completely unacceptable”. I am shocked and appalled at reports that the IDF fired shots in the vicinity of a visit to Jenin today by a group of diplomats, including two Irish diplomats based in Ramallah,” Harris said in a statement.
France’s foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Wednesday that he would summon the Israeli ambassador after diplomats came under fire by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank town of Jenin. Barrot, writing in a post on social media platform X, called the incident “unacceptable” and said the ambassador would be required to explain.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has urged Israel to hold accountable those responsible for firing warning shots during foreign diplomats’ visit to the occupied West Bank on Wednesday. It took place near the city of Jenin, a stronghold of Palestinian armed groups and a frequent target of Israeli raids. The Palestinian foreign ministry accused Israel of having “deliberately targeted by live fire an accredited diplomatic delegation”.
Spain has said it “strongly condemns” Israeli army fire on a diplomatic delegation that was visiting the flashpoint city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, foreign ministry sources told AFP. “There was a Spaniard in the group of diplomats who is well. We are in contact with other affected countries to jointly coordinate a response to what happened, which we strongly condemn,” the sources said.
Here is a little more reaction from the Turkish foreign ministry …
“This attack, which endangered the lives of diplomats, is yet another demonstration of Israel’s systematic disregard for international law and human rights,” the ministry said in a statement, adding a diplomat from its consulate in Jerusalem was part of the group.
“The targeting of diplomats constitutes a grave threat not only to individual safety but also to the mutual respect and trust that form the foundation of inter-state relations.”
Faisal Ali
There has been further reaction to the incident involving Israeli forces and a group of diplomats visiting the West Bank city of Jenin.
The Turkish foreign ministry said that some diplomats from its consulate in Jerusalem were present and were among those targeted in the incident, which it said“endangered the lives of diplomats”.
Turkey condemned “in the strongest terms the opening of fire by Israeli soldiers”, and called for an investigation and accountability for those responsible.
“We call on the international community to condemn this dangerous act in the strongest possible terms and to take concrete steps to bring an end to Israel’s impunity,” the ministry said.
Two Irish diplomats were among the European delegation that shots were fired in the vicinity of by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Ireland’s government said.
Ireland’s deputy premier Simon Harris condemned the incident “in the strongest terms” and said it was “completely unacceptable”.
“I am shocked and appalled at reports that the IDF fired shots in the vicinity of a visit to Jenin today by a group of diplomats, including two Irish diplomats based in Ramallah,” Harris said in a statement.
“Fortunately, no one was hurt. This is completely unacceptable and I condemn it in the strongest terms.”
France to summon Israeli ambassador after troops fired near diplomats
France’s foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Wednesday that he would summon the Israeli ambassador after diplomats came under fire by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank town of Jenin.
Barrot, writing in a post on social media platform X, called the incident “unacceptable” and said the ambassador would be required to explain.
Sacking of Shin Bet head 'illegal and contrary to law'
Israel’s supreme court ruled that a government decision to sack the head of the domestic intelligence service Shin Bet was “illegal and contrary to law”, Israeli media reported on Wednesday.
In March, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to sack Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, a move that sparked protests nationwide, with critics arguing that the government was undermining key state institutions and endangering the foundations of Israeli democracy.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu will give a press conference this evening at 8.15pm local time (5.15pm GMT), according to reports.
The press conference, his first since December, will be held at the prime minister’s office in Jerusalem, his office confirmed to the The Times of Israel.
Israeli protesters have gathered near the Kerem Shalom border crossing in an attempt to block trucks carrying humanitarian aid into Gaza as international experts warn of looming famine.
Here is a Guardian video report on it:
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has urged Israel to hold accountable those responsible for firing warning shots during foreign diplomats’ visit to the occupied West Bank on Wednesday. It took place near the city of Jenin, a stronghold of Palestinian armed groups and a frequent target of Israeli raids.
The Palestinian foreign ministry accused Israel of having “deliberately targeted by live fire an accredited diplomatic delegation”.
The Israeli military said “the delegation deviated from the approved route”, prompting troops to fire “warning shoots” to keep them away from “an area where they were not authorised to be”.
In a statement, the military said it “regrets the inconvenience caused” by the shooting, which resulted in no injuries, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold a press conference on Wednesday night, Haaretz is reporting. No other details have been shared. We will update with more information when it comes in.
