Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly seeking cabinet approval to fully occupy Gaza – an idea that “deeply alarms” the UN. Donald Trump dodged a question on that report, but did say they want to “get people fed” in the territory.
Tuesday 5 August 2025 23:19, UK
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That’s all for now, but we’ll be back with the latest from Gaza shortly.
To bring you up to speed on today’s developments, here’s a quick recap in five bullet points:
Israel’s foreign minister has the floor now at the UN Security Council.
Gideon Sa’ar – who called for this meeting in light of videos released by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad showing emaciated hostages – pointed his message first to Russia’s representative.
“Palestinians learn propaganda from you,” he says.
He adds he’s at the UN today because the hostages are “still there”, being “tortured” in “dungeons” in Gaza.
“This is the pure evil that Israel faces,” he adds, detailing alleged sexual assault suffered by female captives in Gaza.
“This weekend the whole world witnessed the cruel starvation of Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski,” he says.
“The whole world saw their terrible condition.”
Referring to Hamas’s kidnappings, he also warns the “international community” not to “make it worthwhile for the terrorists”.
“Today, it’s Israel – tomorrow, it’s you,” he adds.
As Sa’ar wraps up his remarks, Argentina’s representative reads a brief statement, which concludes the meeting.
At the UN Security Council, we’re now hearing from Palestinian ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour.
He’s condemned “inhuman acts” by Hamas and criticised the release of videos, which showed emaciated Israeli captives in Gaza.
But he also accuses Israel of “holding two million people captive in Gaza”, in what he describes as genocide – a charge denied by the Israelis.
Addressing the Israeli people, Mansour – who does not represent Hamas – says: “Your government wants you to believe the whole world is conspiring against you, that Palestinian people [are] terrorists, that the UN is filled with terrorists.”
He adds Israel’s government “wants you to believe survival depends on your ability to wage wars, including against a defenceless civilian population”.
“We are clear what Israel did before October 7 cannot justify harming Israeli civilians on October 7,” he says.
“And what Hamas did on October 7 cannot justify harming Palestinian civilians ever since.”
He adds, repeating twice: “Enough bloodshed, enough wars, enough suffering, enough occupation.”
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has had his say on reports Benjamin Netanyahu is considering a full occupation of Gaza.
He’s called on Israelis to take a stand against the government.
Watch for yourself in the video below…
While the UN Security Council meeting continues, we’re also hearing from Donald Trump, who has just signed an executive order for the LA Olympics.
Taking questions from the media, Trump is asked if he would support a “full occupation” of Gaza, as Israel is reportedly considering.
“Well, I don’t know what the suggestion is,” Trump responded.
“I know that we are… they are now trying to get people fed. As you know, $60m was given by the United States fairly recently to supply food, and a lot of food, frankly, for the people of Gaza that are obviously not doing too well with the food.
“And I know Israel is going to help us with that in terms of distribution and also money, we also have the Arab states [who] are going to help us with that in terms of the money and possibly [to] distribute.
“So, that’s what I’m focussed on. As far as the rest of it, I really can’t say, that’s going to be pretty much up to Israel.”
The US has “made clear” that freeing hostages is “our priority”, the country’s UN envoy tells the security council, along with “ensuring Hamas disarms and no longer rules Gaza”.
But Dorothy Shea adds those aims are undermined by countries that “embolden Hamas”.
“We must be clear that unproductive publicity stunts, like last week’s two-state solution conference and unilateral announcements regarding recognition of a Palestinian state, undercut the efforts of mediators and prolong the war,” she adds.
“These gifts to Hamas not only imperil the hostages, they also hurt the civilians of Gaza who continue to suffer what President Trump has recognised as real starvation.”
She also says Israel has “taken numerous measures to limit harm to civilians and to address humanitarian needs”, though she doesn’t list examples.
“The loss of civilian life in Gaza is tragic, but the responsibility for this rests with Hamas, which could stop the fighting today by agreeing to the ceasefire already accepted by Israel,” she adds.
On reports Benjamin Netanyahu is planning a full occupation of Gaza, the UN’s assistant secretary-general had this to say:
“International law is clear in the regard, Gaza is and must remain an integral part of the future Palestinian state.”
Watch his remarks in the clip below…
It’s now the UK representative’s turn to speak at the UN, where the security council is discussing hostages in Gaza and the situation in the territory.
Dame Barbara Woodward begins by expressing her “gratitude” for Ilay David’s “powerful advocacy” for his brother – see our posts at 20:29 and 20:36.
“The UK stands with your family and the families of all those who have suffered due to Hamas inhuman and cruel actions,” she says.
This council, she adds, has consistently called for the “immediate and unconditional release” of all hostages – a call she repeats.
Hamas can have “no place” in the governance of Gaza, she adds.
Shifting focus on to the suffering of Palestinians, she says their conditions have “plumbed new and shocking depths”.
Israel’s aid restrictions, she says, have led to a “famine” now unfolding in Gaza.
She calls on Israel to “alleviate” this “horrendous suffering”.
We’re still hearing from the UN Security Council meeting, but as representatives discuss the hostages in Gaza, a new report has come out in the US.
According to Axios, there are ideas in the White House to expand Washington’s role in the distribution of aid in Gaza.
Citing two officials from the US and one from Israel, the reportsaid Donald Trump has discussed such plans with his special envoy Steve Witkoff.
In a meeting last night, the pair reportedly talked about “taking over” management of humanitarian efforts, as, a US official said, Israel isn’t doing an adequate job.
A US official wouldn’t say what this involvement would entail and the White House has not commented.
The official did say Trump is “not thrilled” about the idea of the US taking charge, but it “kind of has to happen”.
“The starvation problem in Gaza is getting worse,” the official added.
“Donald Trump does not like that. He does not want babies to starve. He wants mothers to be able to nurse their children. He’s becoming fixated on that.”
Ilay David is now directing his speech to the “leaders of the world”.
“To every member of this council and to the global community,” he says.
“Your silence in the face of this monstrous cruelty – it’s complicity. I urge you, do not let them die.
“We don’t have time. Do not let them spend another minute in darkness.”
Leaders “should unite”, he added, to “pressure Hamas and its partners”.
“Bring my little brother home,” he concludes, as the floor is given to Denmark’s representative.
Watch his full remarks in the video below…
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