NBC: NBC reported that a number of the most pro-Israel Democrats in the US Congress have begun escalating their criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The network quoted Senator Dan Goldman as saying that Netanyahu’s personal and political interests are clearly influencing Israel’s decisions and actions.

AL-JAZEERA: Palestinian factions on Saturday called on the Egyptian people to lead crowds towards the Rafah crossing to pressure for its opening, the entry of aid, and the breaking of the siege.

US MEDIA: The American Jewish lobby group J Street stated:

As American Jews and supporters of Israel, we condemn Netanyahu’s plan to occupy Gaza. Relief agencies say the occupation of Gaza will worsen atrocities.

YAHYA SAREE:

We carried out three military operations with three drones.

We targeted Lod Airport and two other sites in Beersheba and Ashkelon.

Our military operations against the Zionist enemy achieved their objectives.

Our position stems from our religious and moral commitment to the people of Gaza under attack.

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: Medical sources in Gaza hospitals reported that the death toll from Israeli army fire since dawn on Friday has risen to 36, including 21 Palestinians seeking aid in various areas of the besieged Gaza Strip.

AL-JAZEERA: The World Food Programme called for the urgent entry of at least 100 humanitarian aid trucks per day through the northern, central, and southern crossings into the Gaza Strip.

ISRAELI MEDIA: The Israeli website Walla reported that Defense Minister Yoav Gallant plans to formally propose issuing call-up orders for about 430,000 reservists, as part of efforts to boost the army’s capabilities in its ongoing military operations in Gaza.

AL-JAZEERA: Diplomatic sources told Al Jazeera that the UN Security Council will convene an emergency session tomorrow, Saturday, to discuss Israel’s plans to take control of the Gaza Strip.

AL JAZEERA: Diplomatic sources told Al Jazeera that the United States is exerting heavy pressure to prevent the convening of an emergency UN Security Council session to discuss Israel’s plans to occupy the Gaza Strip.

ISRAELI MEDIA: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed disappointment during a phone call with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz over Berlin’s decision to suspend arms exports to Israel.

AL-JAZEERA: Sources told Al Jazeera that the UK, Denmark, France, Greece, and Slovenia have submitted a formal request to hold an urgent UN Security Council meeting to discuss Israel’s full takeover plans for the Gaza Strip, amid growing international warnings about the move’s impact on regional stability and the humanitarian situation.

NETANYAHU: “We will not occupy Gaza; we are going to liberate it from Hamas. Gaza will be demilitarized, and a peaceful civilian administration will be established—one not affiliated with the PA, Hamas, or any other terrorist organization.”

AL-JAZEERA: European Council President Antonio Costa urged the Israeli government to reconsider its decision to seize Gaza City, calling it a dangerous move amid worsening humanitarian conditions.

CNN: CNN reported that a recent Israeli war cabinet meeting was marked by severe tensions, with several members shouting at Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi during discussions on Gaza.

AL-JAZEERA: British Foreign Minister David Lammy said he will meet US Vice President J.D. Vance to discuss the situation in Gaza and the broader Middle East, along with the war in Ukraine. Vance confirmed the talks will cover regional tensions, especially the escalation in Gaza and Eastern Europe.

‘Genocidal Policy’: World Reaction to Israel’s Gaza City Occupation Plan

AL JAZEERA: Israel’s Chief of Staff stated that in the coming days the army will increase its military plans while ensuring the safety of its forces. He added that the aim is to create conditions for the return of captives and the removal of Hamas rule in Gaza. According to CNN, an Israeli official said the comprehensive plan to control Gaza is expected to take five months.

AL-JAZEERA: The Israeli army announced that Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi convened a strategic assessment meeting today at the Southern Command headquarters. Army leaders discussed the development of plans and preparations to continue operations in the Gaza Strip.

YEDIOTH AHRONOTH (via Al-Jazeera): Israeli military sources told Yedioth Ahronoth that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has caused the greatest political tsunami in Israel’s history. The political leadership is pressuring the army into actions it has not studied, exposing it to potential war crimes allegations. Army leaders have warned internally of exhaustion among both regular and reserve forces.

AL-QUDS BRIGADES: The Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, said it shelled Israeli troop gatherings near Jabal Al-Sourani, east of Al-Tuffah in Gaza City.

GERMAN CHANCELLOR: “We have decided to suspend military equipment exports to Israel that could be used in Gaza until further notice. Ceasefire negotiations and hostage releases remain top priorities. I remain deeply concerned about the suffering of civilians in Gaza and urge the Israeli government not to take further steps toward annexing the West Bank.”

ISRAELI MEDIA: The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation reported that Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi told the Israeli mini-cabinet that the plan to take control of Gaza would require about 200,000 reservists.

LEBANESE MEDIA: The Lebanese Health Ministry reported one person killed in an Israeli drone strike on the Zahrani road in southern Lebanon.

ISRAELI MEDIA: Israel’s Public Broadcasting Corporation reported that Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi decided to hold a meeting with senior army commanders to discuss the next steps following the decision to seize control of Gaza City.

UN: The United Nations urged Israel to immediately halt its military control plan for the Gaza Strip, stating in an official release: “We call for the immediate cessation of the Israeli plan regarding Gaza.”

ISRAELI MEDIA: Haaretz quoted sources saying the rift between Netanyahu and Chief of Staff Zamir over the continuation of the war in Gaza is deeper than previously reported. The chief of staff reportedly views the occupation of Gaza as a “disaster,” and his dismissal is now being considered.

AL JAZEERA: Families of Israeli captives held in Gaza issued a statement:
“The government has effectively signed a death sentence for the living captives and condemned the dead to permanent disappearance.”

AL JAZEERA: According to Yedioth Ahronoth, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said that reserve units are exhausted and that maintaining long-term control in Gaza will be difficult.

Netanyahu’s Cabinet Endorses Gaza Takeover Plan amid Warnings and Dissent

AL-JAZEERA: In a joint statement, the Palestinian “Resistance Committees” said no power on earth can disarm them. They asserted that Israel can only regain its captives through negotiations and emphasized that what the occupying army failed to achieve over 22 months will fail again.

AXIOS: An Israeli official said the army’s current plan is limited to Gaza City. The aim is to evacuate all civilians from the city to central camps. The operation includes a ground offensive on Hamas fighters remaining in Gaza City, while imposing a siege.

ISRAELI MEDIA: The cabinet approved Prime Minister Netanyahu’s plan for a full occupation of the Gaza Strip following a ten-hour meeting. Axios confirmed the invasion plan was approved.

FAO: The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization reported that more than 86% of Gaza’s farmland is damaged, and only 1.5% remains accessible and undamaged. Agricultural land in Rafah, the northern Strip, and most of Gaza City is not accessible.

AL JAZEERA:  A video surfaced Friday showing Israelis blocking the road to prevent aid trucks from entering Gaza through an Israeli checkpoint.

QUDS NEWS: Osama Hamdan, a senior leader in Hamas, stated that the movement will deal with any force established in Gaza based on Netanyahu’s statements as an “occupation force linked to ‘Israel’.”

ISRAELI MEDIA: Channel 13 quoted Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Samir as saying that entering Gaza City and targeting its infrastructure would lead to a humanitarian catastrophe. He added that occupying Gaza endangers the lives of the captives and could lead to more soldiers being killed.

ISRAELI MEDIA: The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposed a limited plan to occupy Gaza, while far-right ministers are pushing for full occupation of the Strip. There is reportedly an understanding between Netanyahu and the Chief of Staff for a gradual occupation, starting with encircling Gaza City.

HAMAS STATEMENT: Netanyahu’s statements represent a reversal of the negotiation track and reveal why he withdrew despite a deal being near. He seeks to dispose of the captives by expanding the aggression to serve his personal and ideological agenda. What Netanyahu is planning is a continuation of genocide, displacement, and the imposition of new control over Gaza. Gaza will not surrender to occupation, and escalating the aggression will not be easy — the cost will be high.