Symbolic imageIsrael resumes Gaza strikes and rules out any withdrawal
Israel struck Gaza on Wednesday for the first time in over a week, killing one man. Its defence minister ruled out any pullback from Gaza, Lebanon or Syria.
The strike hit a tuk-tuk in Beit Lahiya, killing Mohanad Saada and wounding five, Gaza's civil defence agency said, adding that he was on a municipal crew repairing a damaged water well. The Israeli military said it had targeted a Hamas commander planning attacks on its troops. Al Jazeera reported two further Israeli attacks: a drone strike that critically wounded a 13-year-old boy in Khan Younis and shelling near the Bureij camp. Netanyahu rejected Trump's 15-point plan on Sunday, 9 August, after Hamas endorsed it.
Katz prepares for a long stay
Defence Minister Israel Katz said the army stays in security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza and had been ordered to prepare for a long-term presence. A State Department official, without naming him, called a permanent presence in south Lebanon incompatible with the US-brokered framework tying withdrawal to verified Hezbollah disarmament.
Allies doubt the Board of Peace
Diplomats told Politico, as relayed by TASS, that Washington lacks the leverage to deliver on Gaza. A White House official countered that the Board of Peace is getting good cooperation and put Netanyahu's stance down to Israel's autumn elections.
Other opinions
Al Jazeera foregrounds Palestinian casualties and calls the war genocidal; the Jerusalem Post covers only the defence debate.