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Protesters on the Israeli right wing gathered at a rally organized by settler groups to advocate for Israel’s resettlement efforts in Gaza, near the Israel-Gaza border on July 30, 2025. — Reuters
- The Gaza health ministry reports seven additional deaths linked to hunger.
- Israel condemns the recognition of a Palestinian state, claiming it rewards Hamas.
- The UN states that more aid is entering Gaza, but the amount remains critically insufficient.
Israel is reportedly considering the possibility of annexing parts of Gaza to increase pressure on Hamas, according to a government minister on Wednesday. Such a move would undermine Palestinian aspirations for a state on land controlled by Israel. Security Cabinet member Zeev Elkin made this statement shortly after Britain announced its intention to recognize a Palestinian state come September, unless Israel takes concrete steps to ease Gaza’s suffering and reaches a ceasefire with Hamas.
France, which plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September, along with Saudi Arabia, issued a joint statement on Tuesday—supported by Egypt, Qatar, and the Arab League—detailing steps toward a two-state solution. The proposed framework requires Hamas to relinquish its control over Gaza and turn over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority.
Israel sees moves toward Palestinian recognition as rewarding Hamas for its attack in October 2023 that sparked the current conflict.
Potential Ultimatum to Hamas
Elkin accused Hamas of stalling ceasefire negotiations to extract concessions from Israel. He suggested Israel might issue an ultimatum to the group, demanding a deal before expanding military actions further. “Losing land is the most painful outcome for our enemies,” he stated. “Sending a clear message to Hamas that they will permanently lose land if they play games with us could be a powerful pressure tactic.”
Efforts to mediate a ceasefire—aiming for a 60-day halt and the release of hostages—have stalled, with both sides blaming each other for the deadlock.
International pressure on Israel over Gaza continues to mount, especially as recent reports warn of an unfolding famine. Gaza’s health ministry confirmed seven more hunger-related deaths, including that of a two-year-old girl with pre-existing health issues.
Families of Hostages and Reactions
Families of Israeli captives in Gaza have pleaded for no recognition of a Palestinian state until their loved ones are freed. The Hostages Family Forum described such recognition as a violation of international law and a moral failure that could legitimize war crimes.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Britain’s decision, calling it “a reward for Hamas’ heinous terrorism.” Similar criticisms arose from Israel after France’s announcement. Hamas officials have yet to respond publicly to calls for disarmament, which Israel strongly opposes, insisting that the Palestinian Authority (PA) should control Gaza, a region Hamas currently governs independently.
Netanyahu has expressed a desire for peace but warned that any future Palestinian state could serve as a threat to Israel’s existence. Consequently, he insists that Israel should retain security control. The government includes far-right figures demanding annexation of Palestinian territories; notably, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich asserted that reestablishing Jewish settlements in Gaza is imminent, describing Gaza as an integral part of Israel.
Humanitarian Situation
A two-year-old girl suffering from brain fluid buildup and hunger died overnight, her father reported to Reuters. “Makkah, my little daughter, died from malnutrition and lack of medication,” Salah Gharably stated from Deir Al-Balah. “Doctors said she needed a specific type of milk, but we have none. She starved, and we felt powerless.”
Since the conflict began, starvation has claimed the lives of at least 154 people, including 89 children, most recently in recent weeks.
Earlier, the Israeli military announced steps to facilitate food supplies into Gaza, including daily pauses in military operations and designated aid corridors. The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that while initial aid shipments increased during the pauses, the volume remains far below what’s needed. Rising food prices suggest that if aid flows continue to grow, conditions could improve.
The war started on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched attacks on southern Israel, killing roughly 1,200 Israelis and taking 251 hostages. Since then, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in over 60,000 deaths and widespread destruction, according to Gaza’s health authorities.
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