Hamas: 'Ready for global agreement and hostage release'. Netanyahu rejects Macron request to visit Israel

Satellite images published today by Haaretz show that in recent weeks the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have destroyed large areas of Gaza City and the northern part of the Gaza Strip.

Planet Labs PBC images show areas of Gaza City on 17 July and again on 25 August. In the neighbourhoods of Shujaiyeh, Zeitoun and Tuffah most of the urban space appears to have been razed to the ground, with many buildings intact in the first images and completely destroyed in the later ones.

Scotland's first minister, John Swinney, declared that any defence company supplying weapons to Israel would be excluded from public funding, including subsidies and investment support.

Swinney also announced that support for trade with Israel would be frozen.

"On the afternoon of 2 September, a C-130 aircraft belonging to the Israeli Armed Forces made a technical landing at the U.S. Navy Air Station in Sigonella (Catania), as part of a training and logistical support (refuelling) activity previously authorised in accordance with the procedures provided for by current national and international regulations. Only technical and logistical personnel were on board the aircraft, there was and was no material or equipment on board'. Thus the Defence General Staff, which adds: 'Therefore, during the stopover, which lasted about 3 hours and 30 minutes, the aircraft received only logistical support from US personnel present at the base'. The use of Italian airspace and military infrastructure, it adds, 'takes place in full compliance with the national regulatory framework and existing international agreements'.

The IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir plans to warn the Israeli government that there will be no choice but to impose military control over the Gaza Strip if plans to take over Gaza City go ahead. This was reported by Channel 12. 'There will be no choice but to impose a military regime on all of Gaza starting in November,' Zamir said, according to the report. The army chief opposes the government's plan to take over Gaza City and instead urged the executive branch to accept a ceasefire agreement that includes the release of hostages.

A majority of Israelis, even among right-wing voters, support an agreement that would end the war in the Gaza Strip and lead to the release of hostages held by Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Palestinian enclave. This is according to a poll conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute between 24 and 28 August.

According to Haaretz, 64.5% of Israelis believe Israel should accept such an agreement, with 62% of Jews and 81% of Arabs surveyed saying they were 'certain Israel should' or 'think Israel should' accept such terms.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attacked the demonstrations held in Jerusalem for the return of the hostages, describing them as 'financed, organised and political demonstrations against the government'. "Every day they threaten to kill me and my family, and they are also committing arson," Netanyahu explained in a video message, as reported by Israeli media. "In a democracy, demonstrations are legitimate. But what is happening in the organised and political protests against the government is that they have gone beyond all limits. They said they would surround my home, the prime minister's residence, with a ring of fire, just like fascist militias," he said. "What is happening here is simple: there is no law enforcement, and when there is no law enforcement, there is escalation," he said. "Where is law enforcement? It does not exist. It is not selective law enforcement - there is no law enforcement," he added. "And that has to change. That is what I am asking the law enforcement authorities to do. It is what the people of Israel demand to preserve democracy."

Thousands of protesters gathered in front of Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem, demanding a hostage-taking and ceasefire agreement. The Times of Israel reports. The large demonstration follows relentless protests in the capital throughout the day, calling for a negotiated end to the war as the IDF continues with an operation to take Gaza City. 'Military pressure kills the hostages!' shouted the groups of protesters, before speeches planned by the hostages' families.

Persone partecipano a una protesta per chiedere l'immediato rilascio degli ostaggi rapiti durante l'attacco mortale del 7 ottobre 2023 contro Israele da parte di Hamas, a Gerusalemme, 3 settembre 2025. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

The Israeli army refuses to reveal how many reservists showed up yesterday, in response to the 60,000 calls sent out for the start of the occupation operation in Gaza City. This was reported by Haaretz, to which senior IDF officials reported that battalion and brigade commanders have been given broad powers to 'manage' the enlistment and presence of reservists. According to the officials, the commanders can take into account the limits of the reservists, so that some reservists may only do part of their shift, but will still be counted, and paid, as if they had completed it.

As preparations for the occupation of Gaza City, dubbed 'Chariots of Gideon II', continue, a senior official of the Israeli Ground Forces has been reprimanded by the military leadership for submitting a report stating that the operation launched last May in Gaza, 'Chariots of Gideon', was a failure and that Israel made 'every possible mistake' in its management.

Warning sirens were activated in several areas of Israel for the launch of a ballistic missile from Yemen. This was reported by the IDF. The Israel Defence Forces say that the missile was later intercepted by the air force. Sirens resounded in the Jerusalem area and in parts of the southern West Bank.

The Israeli army is "intensifying combat operations" in the Gaza Strip. This was said by the Chief of Staff of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), General Eyal Zamir, during a visit to the Palestinian enclave this morning. "We have entered the second phase of Operation 'Chariots of Gideon' to achieve the goals of the war: freeing the hostages and defeating Hamas," Zamir remarked, quoted by Israeli media.

Elly Schlein asks Giorgia Meloni to take action to guarantee the safety of the people embarked on the Global Sumud Flotilla. The Pd secretariat, in a letter sent to the Prime Minister, explains: 'Dear President Meloni, as you will have already learned from the news that has appeared in the Italian and international press, the Global Sumud Flotilla is about to set sail with 40 boats loaded with many tons of humanitarian aid collected with great participation of civil society and citizenship, with the aim of bringing basic necessities to Gaza to be distributed to the Palestinian population.

"The humanitarian mission," he continues, "born from the bottom up, non-violent and peaceful, which will be carried out in accordance with international law, will be joined by 44 delegations from all over the world of thousands of activists, including many Italian citizens as well as four members of the Italian Parliament belonging to various political forces.

A Palestinian was killed and a suspect was arrested during an undercover operation conducted today by special forces of the Duvdevan unit of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), led by Shin Bet intelligence, in the northern West Bank city of Nablus. This was reported by the Jewish state army.

According to the military, soldiers raided a building where a suspect wanted for terrorist activities was hiding in the nearby Balata refugee camp and managed to arrest him. During the operation, another man threw concrete blocks at the soldiers from a nearby rooftop. The soldiers responded by opening fire and killing him. The IDF said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks in the West Bank.

The Israeli KC130 aircraft that landed at the Sigonella base last night took off after a few hours. This was reported by informed sources. These planes are used for refuelling and transporting cargo.

In response to reports that Israeli drones yesterday dropped grenades near Unifil personnel, the IDF says their forces were responding to a "suspicious presence" in the area. The Times of Israel reports. "Following an investigation," it also reads, "the Idf says it held talks through military communication channels to clarify the incident" and stresses that "no deliberate firing was made at Unifil personnel" while reiterating that "the safety of civilians and Israeli forces remains a top priority.

Next Tuesday in Strasbourg, High Representative Kaja Kallas will speak in the debate on the resolution on Gaza, entitled: "Gaza at breaking point: EU action to combat famine, urgent need to free hostages and move towards a two-state solution". The text will go to the vote on Thursday 11 September. This was announced by the European Parliament.

The European countries most critical of the actions of the Israeli government led by Benyamin Netanyahu are considering taking national measures given the stalemate that now reigns at the European level. A diplomatic source from one of the member states told ANSA. At the Permanent Representatives Committee, which met today, the usual divisions were registered, with about 10 countries opposed to taking any measures against Tel Aviv at the moment, not even the suspension of Horizon funds, as proposed by the Commission. Frustration is therefore growing and hence the desire of some capitals to proceed autonomously and in possible coordination. The EU executive, however, is against this. 'It would undermine the relevance of the EU,' notes the source. At the same time, there are signs that some positions are hardening and thus room would be opened for a majority decision. The timeframe does not seem short, however. 'One may have to wait for the effect of the operation in Gaza City,' notes another source.

"Tell Hamas to immediately return all 20 hostages (not 2, 5 or 7!) and things will change quickly. It will end!" Donald Trump writes this in a post on Truth.

"We are intensifying the fighting in Gaza and increasing the blows dealt to the terrorist organisation Hamas. The IDF forces are operating in the areas that control and dominate the city," said Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who visited the Strip today, where he observed Gaza city up close. Speaking to troops on the ground, Zamir said, "We have entered the second phase of Operation Gideon's Chariots to realise the objectives of the war. Bringing our hostages home is a moral and national mission. We will continue to strike Hamas' vital centres until its defeat." He added: "We are creating for Hamas a constant feeling of being hunted, wherever they are." The IDF chief stressed that "a significant mobilisation of reservists was initiated yesterday to intensify action inside Gaza and maximise the impact on Hamas. "The military forces engaged on the ground are facing some of the greatest challenges in the history of the State of Israel," he said.

Following Belgium's announcement that it would recognise a Palestinian state at the UN by the end of the month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called his Belgian counterpart Bart de Wever 'a weak leader who seeks to please Islamic terrorism by sacrificing Israel'. On X, the Israeli premier wrote: 'He wants to feed the terrorist crocodile before it devours Belgium. Israel will not allow this and will continue to defend itself'.

Israeli forces entered the Shebaa Farms area (Mount Dov) in southern Lebanon last night, and "dismantled several outposts previously used by Hezbollah". This was reported by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), pointing out in a note that the operation "came after months of observation and reconnaissance in the area". The Shebaa Farms are an area disputed by Israel, Lebanon and Syria.

The plenary of the European Parliament, scheduled for next week in Strasbourg, is expected to schedule a vote on a resolution on the situation in Gaza for the first time since the start of the IDF military operations. ANSA learns this from parliamentary sources. The main groups of the EU majority - Socialists, Liberals and Populars - have reportedly reached an agreement on a broad title referring to the "humanitarian crisis", "the release of hostages" and the objective of "two peoples and two states". The agreement had been lacking until today: the chamber had gone through several debates on Gaza without ever voting on a resolution.

The Shin Bet reports that, in a joint operation with the IDF, a plot hatched by a Hamas cell in the West Bank to assassinate the Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, with explosives-laden drones was foiled. The agency reports that the suspects, arrested by security forces in recent weeks, are members of a Hamas cell based in Hebron. They allegedly purchased several drones and planned to attach explosives to them. The drones were seized at the time of the arrest.

Yair Golan, the chairman of the Democrats' party, has filed a defence brief in response to the lawsuit filed against him by Benyamin Netanyahu, which accuses him of spreading lies about the premier's office's ties with Qatar. In his defence, Golan claimed that Netanyahu 'received favours from Qatar, which finances Hamas'. Golan added that there are "other events that raise suspicions": including information about funds that were allegedly transferred to Netanyahu and family, some of which were connected to "the purchase of a flat in England by his son Avner, which took place under a false identity".

The situation in Gaza is 'horrible' due to the 'man-made famine'. This was said by Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer during the first Question Time in the House of Commons after the summer parliamentary recess in reference to what is happening in the Strip due to Israel's blockade of aid. Starmer pledged to talk to international leaders about the dramatic situation in Gaza, responding to Lib Dem leader Ed Davey who asked him to press US President Donald Trump to end the conflict during the US leader's visit to the UK.

The IDF estimates that around 70,000 Palestinians, out of the one million residents of Gaza City, have been evacuated to the south in the last three days.

As reported by Ynet, the IDF predicts that 'as ground operations expand, more residents will be evacuated'.

"I am announcing that with us will go Avs MEP Benedetta Scuderi and three members of two other parties, Pd MEP Arturo Scotto, Pd MEP Annalisa Corrado, and M5s Senator Marco Croatti. They decided to put their bodies. Imagine how important this is'. This was said by Maria Elena Delia, spokesperson for the Italian delegation of Global Movement to Gaza during a conference in the Senate promoted by the M5s.

Dumpsters and tyres were set on fire in Jerusalem this morning in protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his failure to agree to bring back to Israel the hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip. This was reported by the Israeli police condemning the ''vandalism'' and reporting that there were no injuries. Activists also gathered under the house of Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, who is in charge of securing the release of the hostages. A group of activists from the Coalition of Mothers and Women barricaded themselves on the roof of the National Library, near the Knesset in Jerusalem, demanding an agreement for the release of the hostages and an end to the war. ''The Israeli police will allow anyone to exercise their right to freedom of expression as part of a legitimate protest,'' reads a note. ''At the same time, the police will not allow any damage to public order, including the burning of rubbish cans, vandalism, roadblocks or any other illegal actions that endanger public safety or disrupt daily life,'' the note continues.

The United Arab Emirates has warned Israel that any annexation of the West Bank would constitute a red line for Abu Dhabi and seriously undermine the spirit of the Abrahamic Accords that normalised relations between the two countries, Reuters reports on its website. "From the beginning, we saw the agreements as a way to continue supporting the Palestinian people and their legitimate aspiration for an independent state," said Lana Nusseibeh, Deputy Minister for Political Affairs and envoy of the Foreign Minister. "This was our position in 2020 and remains our position."

Yemeni Houthi militiamen said they launched a missile attack towards Tel Aviv today as their first response to ''Israel's aggression'', i.e. Israeli air raids on Sana'a, Yemen. This was stated by Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree, explaining that sensitive enemy targets in the Jaffa area of Tel Aviv were ''targeted'' with ''two ballistic missiles''. The missiles were also fired ''in solidarity with Gaza''.

The Civil Administration of the Israeli Ministry of Defence has declared 456 dunams (45 hectares) of land adjacent to the illegal outpost of Havat Gilad in the northern West Bank as 'state land', meaning it will be available for settlement and infrastructure development. Previously, the land was part of the administrative lands of the neighbouring Palestinian villages of Jit, Tell and Fara'ata, although it is not private property. Anyone claiming private ownership of this land can file an appeal within 45 days.

The Israeli army has advanced further into Gaza City with soldiers and tanks pushing into Sheikh Radwan, one of the largest and most crowded neighbourhoods in the city centre, Reuters reports on its website. In recent weeks, Israeli forces have advanced through the outer periphery of Gaza City and are now within a few kilometres of the city centre, despite international calls to halt the offensive. Residents of Gaza City told Reutes that the army destroyed houses and tent camps housing displaced Palestinians after nearly two years of war.

The Commissioner General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (Unrwa) Philippe Lazzarini warned that Gaza is 'becoming the graveyard of international humanitarian law'. In an interview with El País, he said that Unrwa 'has been warning of signs of famine and sounding the alarm bells for months', but that its warnings have 'fallen on deaf ears'. He added that, through its health centres, Unrwa has seen the number of severely malnourished children in Gaza City increase 'sixfold in the last (six) months'. Lazzarini also described the West Bank as a place where there are 'unprecedented levels of violence and forced displacement, which would surely be in the headlines today if they had not been overshadowed by the Gaza disaster'.

Israeli activists demanding an agreement from the Israeli government for the release of the hostages still in Gaza climbed onto the roof of the National Library, near the Knesset. "We have to perform an extreme act so that someone will be spurred into action," one of the protesters at the National Library, Yael Kuperman, told broadcaster Kan, "a state cannot abandon its citizens. The National Library overlooks the Knesset. We want to be seen'.

The Gaza Ministry of Health said that six people, including a child, had died of 'famine and malnutrition' in the last 24 hours. This was reported by Al Jazeera. According to the ministry, this brings the total number of starvation deaths in Gaza, where Israel continues to restrict access to aid, to 367, including 131 children.

Air raid warning sirens sounded in Tel Aviv in central Israel. The IDF, the Israeli Defence Forces, reported that they shot down a ballistic missile launched by Shia Houthi militiamen from Yemen. This was reported by the Times of Israel.

Dumpsters and tyres were set on fire in Jerusalem this morning in protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his failure to agree to bring back to Israel the hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip. This was reported by the Israeli police condemning the ''vandalism'' and reporting that there were no injuries. Activists also gathered under the house of Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, who is in charge of securing the release of the hostages. A group of activists from the Coalition of Mothers and Women barricaded themselves on the roof of the National Library, near the Knesset in Jerusalem, demanding an agreement for the release of the hostages and an end to the war. ''The Israeli police will allow anyone to exercise their right to freedom of expression as part of a legitimate protest,'' reads a note. ''At the same time, the police will not allow any damage to public order, including the burning of rubbish cans, vandalism, roadblocks or any other illegal actions that endanger public safety or disrupt daily life,'' the note continues.

Preparatory activities for the Global Sumud Flotilla, the naval initiative to challenge the Gaza blockade and deliver humanitarian aid, are intensifying. According to reports from the Tunisian news agency Tap, dozens of participants registered in Tunisia are undergoing training modules before departure, focusing on safety at sea and risk management. Local press sources, citing statements by the organisers, indicate around 300 Tunisians among the Maghrebi participants and more than 6,000 activists mobilised in total for the fleet. The same sources indicate Tunis as the rally point and confirm the organisational framework of the Tunisian Coordination for Joint Action for Palestine. In the latest public announcements, the indicative start date from the Tunisian shore was set for 4 September, in parallel with departures planned in other Mediterranean cities, but this schedule remains subject to weather and sea conditions and may be subject to operational adjustments. The organisers have indicated in recent hours possible postponements in the departures to ensure safety standards, due to sustained winds, with decisions updated meeting after meeting. In Tunisia, the preparation phase also includes specific sessions on first aid, legal protocols and principles of non-violent action, with the support of trainers linked to the experience of previous flotillas. These modules, scheduled in the preceding weeks, are designed to standardise procedures on board and in possible detention scenarios. The picture that emerges in Tunis is that of an organisational machine in an advanced state, balancing declared humanitarian objectives, weather variables and operational interlocutions on several Mediterranean ports of call. The departure from Tunisia remains set for early September, but the precise timing will depend on the evolution of the sea and the latest security checks. The organisers reiterate their intention to maintain a coordinated and non-violent profile, aiming to maximise logistical effectiveness and reduce risks for crews and passengers.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet announced today that Musbah Salim Musbah Dayyah, head of the Mujahideen terrorist organisation in the Gaza Strip, was killed last week during a joint operation near Nuseirat. Haaretz reports this.

Dayyah was responsible for recruiting militants in the West Bank and Israel, and for directing terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF forces, according to Haaretz.

''Any action that endangers UN peacekeepers and resources, as well as any interference with their assigned tasks, is unacceptable and constitutes a serious violation of resolution 1701 and international law''. This was stated by Unifil in a note after shells fired by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) near the Blue Helmets in Lebanon. ''It is the responsibility of the Idf to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers carrying out tasks entrusted by the Security Council,'' reads a note circulated on Unifil's 'X' account. ''The IDF had been informed in advance of the road clearance work being carried out by Unifil in the area, southeast of the village of Marwahin. For security reasons, the work was suspended due to the incident'', the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon specified.

Unifil said Israeli drones dropped four grenades near peacekeepers in what was described as "one of the most serious attacks" against its personnel since the November ceasefire. "Yesterday morning, Israeli Defence Forces drones dropped four grenades near Unifil peacekeepers engaged in removing roadblocks preventing access to a UN post," the UN force said. (ANSA-AFP).

A group of 365 reservists opposed to the takeover of Gaza City announced in a letter that they would no longer report for duty in the event of a call-up to fight. The initiative is affiliated with the left-wing anti-war group Standing Together. "We are over 365 soldiers, and the number continues to grow, who have served during the war and have declared that they will not report for duty when recalled," Sergeant Max Kresch told a press conference in Tel Aviv yesterday. "We refuse to take part in Netanyahu's illegal war and consider it a patriotic duty to refuse and hold our leaders to account." Kresch, a combat medic, said the group of reservists and soldiers are the same people who rushed to the frontline during the Hamas-led attack on 7 October 2023 to protect Israel. "It is this very sense of duty that drives us to refuse," he said. Meanwhile, an organisation of soldiers' wives told the Wall Street Journal that a large number of the men, after months of war, are now unemployed, divorced, or on the verge of financial ruin from time away from home.

Two journalists, Rasmi Salem of al-Manara and Eman al-Zamli, were killed in the most recent attacks, bringing the total number of reporters killed since 7 October 2023 to over 270. According to the Ossetians

rvators, the war in Gaza has become the deadliest conflict ever recorded for media workers.

Further reading

Gaza, who are the five journalists killed by the IDF in Khan Younis

25 August 2025

Israeli activists calling on the government to reach an agreement for the release of hostages still in Gaza set fire to several rubbish bins near the home of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. Police said in a statement that dumpsters and tyres were set on fire, damaging several cars in the Rehavia and Givat Ram neighbourhoods. Numerous residents were evacuated from nearby buildings, although no one was injured. Fire and rescue teams extinguished the fires. This was reported in the Times of Israel. Elsewhere in the city, dozens of demonstrators gathered in front of the home of Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, accusing him of failing to secure the return of a single hostage through an agreement since he became Israel's chief negotiator on the issue.

The Israeli military offensive on Gaza City continues unabated. At least 105 Palestinians have been killed across the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours, according to al Jazeera, as Israeli raids razed densely populated areas, particularly the al-Sabra neighbourhood, which has been under attack for days. At least 32 of the victims were hit while searching for aid.

Palestinians struggle to survive the twin threats of targeted attacks and starvation, with at least 13 people dying of starvation in the last 24 hours, bringing the starvation-related death toll to 361 since the beginning of the war. Of these, 83 have been recorded since a global hunger observatory confirmed the state of famine in Gaza on 22 August.