Both positions run counter to post-war scenarios floated by Israel’s closest ally, the United States. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the US opposes an Israeli reoccupation of Gaza and envisions a unified Palestinian government in both Gaza and the West Bank at some stage as a step toward Palestinian statehood.
For now, Netanyahu said, “the war against (Hamas) is advancing with full force, and it has one goal, to win. There is no alternative to victory.”
Pressure was growing on Israel after frantic doctors at Gaza’s largest hospital said the last generator had run out of fuel, causing the death of a premature baby, another child in an incubator and four other patients. Thousands of war-wounded, medical staff and displaced civilians were caught in the fighting.
Arab, Iran leaders to demand end to Gaza war, ‘Israeli aggression’ at summit
Arab, Iran leaders to demand end to Gaza war, ‘Israeli aggression’ at summit
In recent days, fighting near Shifa and other hospitals in northern Gaza has intensified and supplies have run out. The Israeli military has alleged, without providing evidence, that Hamas has established command posts in and underneath hospitals, using civilians as human shields. Medical staff at Shifa have denied such claims and accused Israel of harming civilians with indiscriminate attacks.
Shifa hospital director Mohammed Abu Selmia said the facility lost power on Saturday.
“Medical devices stopped. Patients, especially those in intensive care, started to die,” he said by phone, with gunfire and explosions in the background. He said Israeli troops were “shooting at anyone outside or inside the hospital” and prevented movement between buildings.
Israel’s military confirmed clashes outside the hospital, but Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari denied Shifa was under siege. He said troops will help on Sunday to move babies treated there and said “we are speaking directly and regularly” with hospital staff.
04:42
Palestinian death toll over 10,000 in Israel-Hamas war, with Gaza casualty figures in spotlight
Palestinian death toll over 10,000 in Israel-Hamas war, with Gaza casualty figures in spotlight
Six patients died at Shifa after the generator shut down, including the two children, spokesmen with the Hamas-run Health Ministry said.
The “unbearably desperate situation” at Shifa must stop now, the International Committee of the Red Cross director general, Robert Mardini, said on social media. UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths posted that “there can be no justification for acts of war in healthcare facilities.”
Elsewhere, the Palestinian Red Crescent said Israeli tanks were 20 metres (65ft) from Al-Quds hospital in Gaza City, causing “a state of extreme panic and fear” among the 14,000 displaced people sheltering there.
Israel’s military released footage which it said showed tanks operating in Gaza. The images showed shattered buildings, some on fire, and destroyed streets empty of anyone but troops.
Netanyahu has said the responsibility for any harm to civilians lies with Hamas, which denied it was preventing people in Gaza City from fleeing.
The spokesman of the Hamas military wing said militants were ambushing Israeli troops and vowed that Israel will face a long battle. The Qassam Brigades spokesman, who goes by Abu Obaida, acknowledged in audio broadcast on Qatari state-owned media outlet Al Jazeera that the fight is disproportionate “but it is terrifying the strongest force in the region.”
Israel’s military has said soldiers have encountered hundreds of Hamas fighters in underground facilities, schools, mosques and clinics during the fighting. Israel has said a key goal of the war is to crush Hamas, which has ruled Gaza for 16 years.
‘Horrific’: Israel faces more pressure to stop ‘targeting’ Gaza hospitals
‘Horrific’: Israel faces more pressure to stop ‘targeting’ Gaza hospitals
Following Hamas’ deadly October 7 attack on Israel, in which at least 1,200 people were killed, Israel’s allies have defended the country’s right to protect itself. But now into the second month of war, there are growing differences over how Israel should conduct its fight.
The US has pushed for temporary pauses that would allow for wider distribution of badly needed aid to civilians in the besieged territory. However, Israel has only agreed to brief daily periods during which civilians can flee the area of ground combat in northern Gaza and head south on foot along the territory’s main north-south artery.
Since these evacuation windows were first announced a week ago, more than 150,000 civilians have fled the north, according to UN monitors. On Saturday, the military announced a new evacuation window, saying civilians could use the central road and a coastal road.
27:37
Where China stands on the Israel-Gaza war
Where China stands on the Israel-Gaza war
Palestinian civilians and rights advocates have pushed back against Israel’s portrayal of the southern evacuation zones as “relatively safe”. They note that Israeli bombardment has continued across Gaza, including air strikes in the south that Israel says target Hamas leaders but that have also killed women and children.
The Health Ministry told Al Jazeera there were still 1,500 patients at Shifa, along with 1,500 medical staff and between 15,000 and 20,000 people seeking shelter.
More than 11,070 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza, which does not differentiate between civilian and militant deaths.
At least 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, mainly in the initial Hamas attack, Israeli officials say.