Netanyahu defends Gaza plans as Israel heavily criticised at UN Security Council

Israel's Prime Minister also claimed Israeli hostages held in Gaza were "the only ones being deliberately starved".

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During a press conference, which Netanyahu said was intended to "puncture the lies", the Israeli leader said the planned offensive would move "fairly quickly" and would "free Gaza from Hamas".

He also claimed Israeli hostages held in Gaza were "the only ones being deliberately starved" and denied Israel was starving Gazans.

Meanwhile, Israel came under heavy criticism at an emergency meeting of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, with the UK, France and others warning the plan risked "violating international humanitarian law".

Along with Denmark, Greece and Slovenia, they called for the plan to be reversed, adding it would "do nothing to secure the return of hostages and risks further endangering their lives".