Flotilla, five boats forced to return due to bad weather. Idf: operation started in Gaza City

According to a qualified Channel 13 source, Minister and chief negotiator Ron Dermer (as well as Beymin Netanyahu's main advisor) told the mediating countries that Israel did not rule out a partial hostage release agreement with Hamas. He added that he did not give too much weight to public statements from Israel about the arrangement for the abductees or Jerusalem's stated insistence that it was only interested in a global agreement on its own terms. The Channel 13 report did not clarify to which of the three main mediators - the US, Egypt and Qatar - Dermer communicated this message.

Israel is "facing the decisive phase" of the war against Hamas. This was stated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a video message addressed to the IDF soldiers, as preparations continue for the takeover of Gaza City. The Times of Israel reports. "We are working to defeat Hamas but along the way we have also achieved extraordinary results, because we have broken the Iranian axis - in Gaza, in Lebanon with Hezbollah, with the Assad regime that has collapsed, with Iran itself threatening us with existential threats that we have eliminated together, and now also with the Houthis," he explained. "But what began in Gaza must end in Gaza," he continued. Netanyahu emphasised that, in the course of the war, his government made "very difficult decisions. Decisions that no one really believed we would be able to implement. But we implemented them because you gave us - and you gave me - the strength to lead Israel to total victory." "Now we are in front of the decision phase. I believe in you, I trust you, and the entire nation embraces you," he concluded, as tens of thousands of reservists were recalled.

Air raids and incursions by the Israeli army today killed 78 people in the Gaza Strip. This was stated by the Palestinian enclave's Civil Defence, quoted by France-Presse.

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said the army had begun its manoeuvres in Gaza City. "We will intensify and deepen our operations," he told the recalled reservists this morning. "We are already entering areas we have never entered before and we are operating there. The IDF offers nothing but a decisive solution. The war will not stop until the enemy is defeated."

The Arabic-language spokesman for the Israel Defence Forces, Avichay Adraee, urged the remaining residents of Gaza City to move to the southern Gaza Strip in view of the expansion of fighting in the Strip's main city. According to Adraee, the coastal area of al-Mawasi will see an improvement in humanitarian services, including health care, water and food. Recent reports, writes the Times of Israel, estimate that only 10,000 of Gaza City's approximately one million residents have moved south in the three weeks since Israel announced it would evacuate the civilian population.

Hundreds of reservists opposed to the IDF plans to take over Gaza City have announced that they will no longer report for duty if called to fight in the ongoing war against Hamas. The Times of Israel writes. "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 called up," said Sergeant First Class (on leave) Max Kresch at a press conference in Tel Aviv. "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 field doctor, says that the group of reservists and soldiers are the same people who rushed to the front line on 7 October to protect Israel. "It is this very sense of duty that drives us to refuse," he said. Sergeant First Class Dor Menachem stated that the order to occupy Gaza City "endangers the hostages and the soldiers themselves", claiming that the entire military establishment has taken a "determined stance against" this decision.

One hundred MEPs, belonging to almost all the political groups, signed the written question presented by Sandro Ruotolo (S&D-Pd) asking the European High Representative for Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas to put pressure on the United Nations to set up an international commission of enquiry on the attacks against journalists in Gaza and the creation of international protection mechanisms for reporters working in the conflict zones. The initiative - informs a note - came about after the two very serious attacks in August: the 10 August bombing that killed six Al Jazeera journalists at the Al-Shifa hospital, and the 25 August bombing at the Al-Nasser medical complex in Khan Younis, in which five other reporters lost their lives. The question, tabled by Ruotolo and co-signed as a second signatory by Nicola Zingaretti, head of the PD delegation in the European Parliament, was symbolically handed over with the 100 signatures to Yousef Khader Habache, European representative of the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate, and to Shuruq As'ad, journalist and member of the syndicate.

"Europe's immobility is the result of the choice of many European governments that, apart from communiqués, block any initiative. We are working so that the European Parliament arrives at a clear formal resolution, a fundamental step to affirm the Palestinian people's right to truth and justice,' said Nicola Zingaretti. 'Those who strike journalists,' Ruotolo added, 'strike the right to know the truth. This is why we ask the European Union to act with determination: we need a commission of enquiry and international protection mechanisms for those who risk their lives every day to report what is happening. I strongly support the initiative of the Palestinian Journalists' Union to organise a boat of reporters to Gaza. It is a gesture of courage and truth that deserves our support'.

The number of victims of a drone attack carried out by Israeli forces in the al-Mawasi area, near Khan Younis, in the south of the Gaza Strip has risen to at least eleven. Palestinian media sources reported this, pointing out that seven children were among those who lost their lives. The spokesman for the Gaza Civil Defence, Mahmoud Basal, had reported - publishing a photo of the incident - that the victims "were standing in line for water in the al-Mawasi area, described as 'safe', when the occupation forces targeted them directly, turning their search for life into a new massacre".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called a meeting on the possibility of enforcing sovereignty over the West Bank and taking measures against the Palestinian Authority in response to the recognition of the Palestinian Authority as a state by France and other countries. Initially scheduled for today, the meeting is expected to take place on Thursday, reports the Jerusalem Post, which quotes several Israeli officials as saying that Israel is considering annexing the West Bank as a possible response to the recognition by some countries of a Palestinian state. The modalities of a possible annexation are not yet clear, nor what it would cover specifically, whether only Israeli settlements or some of them, or specific areas of the West Bank such as the Jordan Valley, and whether the discussions would be followed by concrete steps, which would probably involve a lengthy legislative process.

Any step towards the annexation of the West Bank would probably elicit widespread condemnation from Palestinians, who aspire to that territory for a future state, as well as from Arab and Western countries. It is not even clear what US President Donald Trump's position is on the issue. The Israeli website Walla reported on Sunday that Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the issue of West Bank statehood during the former's visit to Washington last week.

At least 73 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli raids on the Gaza Strip since dawn, local hospital sources told Al Jazeera. Among the victims are 42 people in Gaza City, while the latest attack occurred in the al-Mawasi area in the south of the Strip, where seven people, including five children, were shot while standing in line for water. A spokesperson for Nasser Hospital confirmed the killing of the children, while Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for the Gaza Civil Defence, posted pictures of the bodies of the small victims and the site of the attack on Telegram. "They were in line to fill jerry cans with water in the al-Mawasi area, which had been designated 'safe', when the occupation forces hit them directly, turning their quest for life into a new massacre," Basal denounced. According to local medical sources, the attack was carried out by an Israeli drone near the southern town of Khan Younis. Several other people, including other children, were injured and were rushed to hospitals in the area.

The Israeli army announced in a statement that it had prepared 'logistically and operationally for extensive combat operations and the massive mobilisation of reservists', while the first wave of 40,000 recalled reservists were returning to their units, according to several Israeli media reports. "Troops are conducting a series of combat training exercises in both urban and open fields to improve their preparedness for upcoming missions," the army added, as Israeli shelling continued in the Gaza Strip. Despite mounting pressure, the Israeli government ordered the army to launch a new offensive on Gaza City, with the stated aim of destroying Hamas and recovering the hostages still held there.

The Idf has issued an urgent message to the population in view of the extension of the fighting inside Gaza city, in which it warns that enhanced services will be provided to al Mawasi, with a focus on access to medical care, water and food. "For your safety, we warn you: approaching or returning to combat zones and areas of IDF activity endangers your safety," the army message reads. The area of al Mawasi, on the coast of the enclave, is 14 kilometres long and one kilometre wide and constitutes about three per cent of the Strip.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticised the US State Department's decision not to grant visas to several Palestinian officials including Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), the Palestinian president, to attend the upcoming UN General Assembly, scheduled to take place in New York on 9 September. "This decision is not in line with the UN's raison d'être and we believe it should be reviewed as soon as possible," Erdogan said, as reported by Anadolu, adding that "it is not right to silence the voice of the Palestinians" and that he hoped the US would "say stop the massacres and Israel's oppression". According to the Turkish leader, "the absence of the Palestinian delegation at the General Assembly only pleases Israel" and the Palestinian issue will dominate this year's UN General Assembly, even given the various European countries that are preparing to recognise Palestine as a state at that time.

"We declare from the outset that if the Flotilla is stopped, we will mobilise to block the port of Venice. It is there that we will continue our action, turning outrage into direct action, solidarity into disobedience'. This was stated by the Social Centres of the North-East, together with the Adl Cobas union of Venice, taking up the message launched by the camalli of the Port of Genoa who had threatened, in the event of a blockade of the Global Sumud Flotilla, to "never let a nail leave the Ligurian port of call".

The number of Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn rises to at least 54. This was reported by local hospital sources to Al Jazeera. Among the victims, 24 people lost their lives in Gaza City, the main urban centre of the Gaza Strip, while health authorities continue to monitor the situation in the overcrowded hospital facilities.

The Israeli president's office announced that Isaac Herzog will be at the Vatican on Thursday to meet with Pope Leo XIV. The one-day trip, sponsored by the Holy See, will focus on efforts to bring back hostages from Gaza, the fight against anti-Semitism around the world, and the protection of Christian communities in the Middle East. Herzog will also meet with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and visit the Vatican Library.

Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu may call a meeting today to discuss possible response measures against the Palestinian National Authority supported by several European countries that intend to recognise the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly.

After Belgium also announced recognition by joining France's initiative. On the table will be in particular 'the enforcement of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria' (the West Bank). However, the topic has already provoked bitter discussions within the Israeli leadership: contrary to the hopes of several government ministers, the plan put forward by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer (Netanyahu's closest advisor) during discussions with senior US officials envisages only partial sovereignty, limited to the Jordan Valley.

At least 40 Palestinians have been killed since dawn today in the Gaza Strip. This was reported by the broadcaster al-Jazeera, according to which the victims included Palestinians waiting for humanitarian aid.

Hospitals in the Gaza Strip have recorded the death of a further 13 people, including three children, in the last 24 hours due to malnutrition. This was reported by the Ministry of Health, pointing out that this brings the number of deaths to 361, including 130 children.

In August alone, the ministry added, hospitals in the Palestinian enclave recorded 185 deaths from malnutrition. And since 22 August, when the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (Ipc) declared famine in the northern Gaza Strip, there have been 83 deaths, including those of 15 children.

Israeli far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir condemned Belgium's decision to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations. "European countries that indulge in naivety and give in to Hamas' manipulations," said Minister Ben Gvir, "will end up experiencing terror first hand. Here in Israel, there were those who once believed in such illusions, and the result was rape, murder, and massacres. Instead of rewarding terror, the free world must unite against it'.

At least 40 Palestinians have been killed since dawn this morning in Israeli attacks launched on Gaza. Among the victims are several people who were trying to access aid. This is written by Al Jazeera, which quotes its correspondent from the city of Deir el-Balah.

The mayor of Hebron, Tayseer Abu Sneina, was arrested in a raid conducted by the IDF on his home. The reasons for the arrest of Abu Sneina, who was interrogated, are not known at the moment. The son of the mayor of Hebron, Meza, told the media that the family has no knowledge of his father's whereabouts now. Yesterday, the IDF imposed a curfew in Hebron, West Bank, where all entrances and exits to the area were blocked by Israeli forces.

European countries that recognise the Palestinian state will experience terrorism first hand. This was stated by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in condemning Belgium's decision to recognise the Palestinian state. "European countries that indulge in naivety and give in to Hamas' manipulations will end up experiencing terror first hand. Here in Israel there were those who once believed in such illusions and the result was rape, murder and massacres. Instead of rewarding terror, the free world must unite against it,' said the Israeli minister.

At least 17 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since the early hours of this morning in Gaza. Al Jazeera writes this, citing sources from hospitals in the Strip. Among them, six people were trying to access aid, while some were killed and injured in Israeli air strikes against homes in Gaza City and Deir el-Balah.

The war in the Gaza Strip 'is hurting' Israel. This was said by the US president, Donald Trump, in an interview with Daily Caller, acknowledging the decline in support in the US for Israel.

Asked about recent US polls and the growing scepticism within the Maga coalition, America First, and among Republicans about support for Israel, Trump said he was 'aware of it', pointing out that 'there was a time when, if you wanted to be a politician, you couldn't talk bad (about Israel)'.

Italy 'must speak out clearly against the ongoing massacre, which becomes more serious every day with the military escalation decided to expel the entire Palestinian people from their land. We must move on to the facts'. So says Don Luigi Ciotti, founder and president of Libera, in an interview with La Stampa.

'A concrete response is needed at the European level, with the suspension of the political-commercial agreements that bind us to the government of Israel, starting with the sale of arms,' he says, 'Unfortunately, Italy has so far declared itself to be against this. After the state of severe famine certified by the UN, the deliberate killing of journalists and people seeking humanitarian aid, I wonder what else has to happen to make us change our minds'.

"Every initiative that wants to bring help is blessed by God," according to the Archbishop of Milan Mario Delpini who, on the sidelines of a meeting on brotherhood with the Holy Land, responded to a question about the Global Sumud Flotilla that left to bring aid to Gaza. "I am happy that there are these initiatives," he added, "There is initiative that can be realism, that can be prophecy, that can be protest, and these ships that will try to get closer unite all three: concrete help, prophecy of a possible new world, and protest.

Belgium will recognise the Palestinian state at the next session of the UN General Assembly. This was announced on X by Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot, adding that 'in the face of the ongoing humanitarian tragedy in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, and the violence perpetrated by Israel in violation of international law', Belgium has also adopted sanctions.

"Belgium will join the signatory countries of the New York Declaration, which traces the path to a two-state solution" and "will recognise Palestine as part of the joint initiative of France and Saudi Arabia," the minister wrote, pointing out that "this recognition by royal decree will take place when the last hostage has been freed and Hamas no longer has any responsibility in the administration of Palestine."

We believe violent settlers should be sanctioned now'', because ''this is not a matter of public order, but a political action''. That is, ''a first step to give a signal so that the project of the future Palestinian state does not break up''. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani when meeting journalists. We will see how Israel will react and then we will see'', Tajani added regarding the possibility of sanctions, ''which are decided at EU level'', against members of Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

Italy supports the two-state solution to the Middle East issue, maintaining the Palestinian National Authority as the 'key player' in the construction of the Palestinian state. At the same time, it remains committed to humanitarian support in the face of the ongoing catastrophe. This was said today by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, speaking from the Gemelli Hospital, after he and Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian visited three Roman hospitals where Palestinian children are treated.

In the meeting with his counterpart from the Palestinian National Authority, Tajani said he had "reiterated what the Italian position is in favour of the two peoples, two states solution" and added that Italy "trusts in the Palestinian National Authority", recognising it "as the only interlocutor", while the future of Gaza must "be without Hamas" and, instead, the PNA must be "the protagonist in the construction of the new state that can recognise Israel and be recognised by Israel".

"Israel has the right to enforce its laws but I am not aware that those in the Flotilla are terrorists. In my opinion they are not. Then if you say they violate Israel's laws, that's another matter. One must always tell the truth and use the appropriate terms'. These were the words of Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani on the sidelines of the press conference at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome with the Palestinian Foreign Minister, Varsen Aghabekian, who was visiting children in three Roman hospitals. It was the Israeli government's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir who had announced that the volunteers of the Global Sumud Flotilla, who had also left from Genoa to bring humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip in 50 boats, would be treated as terrorists and therefore arrested.

Belgium will recognise the Palestinian state at the next session of the UN General Assembly. This was announced on X by Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot, adding that 'in the face of the ongoing humanitarian tragedy in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, and the violence perpetrated by Israel in violation of international law', Belgium has also adopted sanctions.

"Belgium will join the signatory countries of the New York Declaration, which traces the path to a two-state solution" and "will recognise Palestine as part of the joint initiative of France and Saudi Arabia," the minister wrote, pointing out that "this recognition by royal decree will take place when the last hostage has been freed and Hamas no longer has any responsibility in the administration of Palestine."

Israeli settlers set fire to farmland in the town of Sa'ir, northeast of Hebron, in the southern occupied West Bank. This was reported by the Palestinian news agency Wafa, citing local sources, according to which dozens of settlers from a nearby settlement stormed Wadi Sa'ir and burned dozens of hectares planted with vines, almonds and olive trees. According to residents, the ongoing attacks by settlers and Israeli forces are aimed at evicting local citizens from their land in order to facilitate the expansion of settlements.