Netanyahu says Israel seeks 'full control' of Gaza after days of strikes kill hundreds

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said his military was “moving toward full control” of Gaza as its air and ground operation killed dozens more people overnight.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that his country's military was “moving toward full control” of the Gaza Strip as its intensifying airstrikes and ground operation there killed dozens more people overnight.

Israeli bombardment had killed more than 300 people in the 72 hours to early Monday, the Health Authority in Gaza said. Children were among the dead after a wave of airstrikes in the southern city of Khan Younis that came even after Netanyahu said his forces would allow in limited amounts of food to avoid the risk of famine.

In a statement Monday, Gaza's Hamas-run government urged the international community to pressure Israel to allow the entry of at least 500 aid trucks and 50 fuel trucks daily, adding that “signs of famine and humanitarian collapse are worsening at a terrifying rate.”

That came after the Israeli government announced plans Sunday that, if actioned, would end its 11-week aid blockade of Gaza and allow in “basic” quantities of food. Netanyahu doubled down Monday on his decision, responding on Telegram to critics from Israel’s political right wing.

A Palestinian child sits on rubble, following an Israeli strike, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Monday.Hatem Khaled / Reuters“There is a lot of criticism from the right this morning regarding the humanitarian issue — and that’s understandable. But it’s important to know the facts,” he said, adding that “we must avoid a situation of famine, both in substance and in perception.”