Israel pressed hard with its plan to seize the Gaza Strip even as United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire in
hostilities to avoid the "death and destruction" that a military operation by Israel Defence Forces would cause in Gaza City. Despite the truce proposal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instead announced on Wednesday that he was "shortening the timelines" for the IDF's plans to conquer Gaza City. The IDF's upcoming offensive in Gaza comes amid approval of 3,400 new housing units in the occupied West Bank, a move that sparked international alarm and reignited debate over the future of a Palestinian state. The settlement homes, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a hard-line coalition partner, said were proof that the "idea of a Palestinian state is being erased from the table." The IDF has called up 60,000 reservists ahead of the operation. "The next phase of the war has begun," Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, the military's chief spokesperson, declared as troops edged into Gaza City’s outskirts to relocate displaced residents to southern Gaza, reported NYT. The takeover move, which comes as mediators floated a new ceasefire proposal reportedly close to terms Israel had previously backed, cast doubt on whether talks could advance amid the escalations. The looming assault aims to prevent Hamas, which carried out the deadly October. 7, 2023, onslaught on southern Israel that started the war, from regrouping and planning future attacks, an Israeli military official, who requested anonymity in line with military protocol, told NYT on Wednesday. UN Chief Calls for Immediate Ceasefire United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to avoid the death and destruction that a military operation against Gaza City would cause, Guterres said in Japan where he is attending a conference on African development.
Guterres also asked Hamas for the unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas. He also urges Israel to reverse a decision to expand "illegal" settlement construction in the West Bank.
Reports of Shooting Near Settlement in Northern West Bank
The IDF said it is investigating a "security incident" near the Malachei Hashalom settlement in the northern West Bank.
Hebrew outlets report a shooting targeting Israeli shepherds near the settlement, with one 2-year-old lightly wounded.
