Israel-Gaza war Highlights: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday said Israel does not aim to occupy Gaza but to “free” it from Hamas and support the creation of a peaceful civilian administration. “This will help free our hostages and ensure Gaza does not pose a threat to Israel in the future,” he posted on X. The statement came after Israel’s cabinet approved a plan for the military takeover of Gaza City. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Sunday, rescheduled from Saturday, after a request by the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Greece and Slovenia. Foreign ministers of Australia, Germany, Italy, New Zealand and the UK issued a joint statement Friday “strongly” rejecting Israel’s decision, warning it “will aggravate the catastrophic humanitarian situation,” NBC News reported. US has 'no plans' to recognise state of Palestine: During a bilateral meeting with foreign secretary David Lammy at Chevening House, US Vice President JD Vance said the Washington has “no plans” to recognise a state of Palestine. “I don’t know what it would mean to really recognise a Palestinian state, given the lack of functional government there,” The Guardian quoted Vance as saying. Vance further stated two goals of the White House at the moment - to make sure "Hamas cannot attack innocent Israeli civilians ever again" and solve the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. What has happened? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Friday the military “will prepare to take control of Gaza City while providing humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones.” An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the operation as “gradual” with no set start date. In a Fox News interview Thursday, Netanyahu outlined broader plans to take control of all of Gaza, which Hamas rejected, warning that “expanding of aggression against our Palestinian people will not be a walk in the park.”
