Gaza-Israel latest: Israel launches first stage of Gaza City invasion as Palestinians flee new assault – UK Times

The IDF has said it was a “failure” that Hamas gunmen yesterday breached an army encampment in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, even though the soldiers fought back successfully.

The gunmen emerged from a known tunnel just 40–50 meters away and breached a building where troops were stationed, an updated IDF probe of the incident was cited as saying in the Times of Israel.

Earlier, we brought to you the news that the US Ambassador to Israel blamed a breakdown in Gaza ceasefire talks on the decision by some European leaders to recognise Palestinian statehood.

Here, The Independent maps out which countries recognise or plan to recognise Palestine as a state:

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Wednesday blamed a breakdown in Gaza ceasefire talks on the decision by some European leaders to recognise Palestinian statehood.

“If they believe that unilaterally calling for a two-state, a Palestinian state recognition, immediately brings them closer, the sad truth is it’s taking them further away,” he said.

The decisions were announced by France, Britain and other countries as Trump envoy had already walked away from negotiations in frustration.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ramped up personal attacks on Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese over his government’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state, saying Albanese’s political record had been damaged forever.

“I think his record is forever tarnished by the weakness that he showed in the face of this Hamas terrorist monsters,” Netanyahu told Sky News Australia.

Relations between the two countries have worsened since Albanese announced last week his government would conditionally recognise Palestinian statehood, following similar moves by France, Britain and Canada.

Palestinians are fleeing Gaza City after the Israeli military said it had taken the first steps of a planned operation to take over the city, despite widespread condemnation of the move.

Brigadier General Effie Defrin said that IDF troops had begun circling the outskirts of Gaza City as part of the “first stages” of its new offensive.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in the city are expected to be ordered to evacuate.

Mr Netanyahu’s planned offensive triggered global outrage when first announced with UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer saying it will “only bring more bloodshed”.

In a statement on Telegram, Hamas accused Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing the ceasefire deal in favour of continuing a “brutal war against innocent civilians in Gaza City.”

“Netanyahu’s disregard for the mediators’ proposal … proves that he is the real obstructionist of any agreement.”