Israel Says Gaza War To Continue ‘With Or Without’ International Support

Israel’s foreign minister, Eli Cohen

Israel’s foreign minister, Eli Cohen, has said his country will continue its war in Gaza irrespective of international backing.

He said “Israel will continue the war against Hamas with or without international support.

“A ceasefire at the current stage is a gift to the terrorist organisation Hamas, and will allow it to return and threaten the residents of Israel.”

The United Nations general assembly overwhelmingly backed an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.

The assembly passed a resolution with 153 in favour, 10 against and 23 abstentions.

The non-binding vote is largely symbolic, but serves as an important barometer of world opinion.

None of the major powers joined Israel and the US in their opposition to the ceasefire.

Israel and the US have shown their sharpest public disagreement yet over the conduct and future of the war against Hamas as the two allies became increasingly isolated by global calls for a ceasefire.

President Joe Biden said he told the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, that Israel was losing international support because of its “indiscriminate bombing” and that Netanyahu should change his government, which is dominated by hard-right parties.

According to a senior US official, discussions over a possible ceasefire hit a dead end.

It was reported that Qatar, which helped broker the previous week-long pause in hostilities that led to the release of more than 100 hostages, has been active in pursuing a new deal, but Hamas has “not been responsive”.

Israel’s agency responsible for coordinating government activity in the occupied territories,posted on X, footage of what it said are Hamas militants seizing a humanitarian aid convoy and firing at civilians,adding that ‘Gaza deserves better’.

It is however unclear where and when the video was taken.