Israel remains unyielding amidst international pressure, refusing any significant changes in its stance.
In the ongoing 22-month conflict between Israel and Palestine, images of Palestinians going hungry, aid trickling in, and hostages remaining captive are all too common [1][3]. As of early August 2025, Israel is planning a full military takeover of the Gaza Strip, beginning with Gaza City, as part of a phased operation that could last around five months [1][3].
This planned takeover, which aims to destroy the remaining Hamas forces, has drawn strong criticism from the United Nations. Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has called for an immediate halt to the military takeover, stating it violates international law and the International Court of Justice ruling regarding Israeli occupation [2]. He warned that further escalation would cause more displacement, killings, suffering, and atrocities in Gaza.
The UN urged Israel to allow unfettered humanitarian aid access and called for the unconditional release of all hostages held by Palestinian armed groups, as well as the release of Palestinians arbitrarily detained by Israel [2]. Türk emphasized the urgent need for the war to end and for peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians [2].
The Israeli security cabinet has approved this plan despite some opposition from the IDF chief of staff [1]. This move signals a significant escalation in the conflict following Hamas' October 7 attack [3]. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is set to convene his cabinet to issue instructions on the continuation of the war [1].
Meanwhile, nearly 600 former Israeli security officials have urged US President Donald Trump to pressure Israel to immediately end the war in Gaza [2]. This article is a collaboration between La Presse and Cogeco Media.
Elsewhere, topics of discussion include Victoria Mboko reaching the semifinals at the Banque Nationale Open, and reports of Montreal being reported as a city where rats are thriving [4].
[1] https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-israel-to-launch-full-military-takeover-of-gaza-strip-1.9531453 [2] https://www.un.org/unispal/document/auto-insert-22092025-ga-13036-press-release-un-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-condemns-escalating-violence-in-gaza-calls-for-unfettered-humanitarian-access-and-end-to-hostilities/ [3] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-gaza-military-operation-2021-11-11/ [4] https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/montreal-reportedly-dirty-and-rats-thriving-in-the-city-1.5600031
The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is planning to convene his cabinet to discuss the continuation of the ongoing military operation in the Gaza Strip, an escalation in the conflict following Hamas' October 7 attack [1]. Meanwhile, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called for an immediate halt to the military operation in the Gaza Strip, citing concerns of a humanitarian crisis and violation of international law [2]. Additionally, sports news report that Victoria Mboko reached the semifinals at the Banque Nationale Open, while reports indicate that Montreal is a city where rats are thriving [4].
