Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denounced as “unacceptable” plans by his country’s military for a limited pause in operations near a crossing into Gaza that was intended to help aid distribution in the shattered enclave.
Netanyahu’s comments on Sunday came amid growing domestic criticism of his handling of the nine-month war against Hamas and a national mood soured by one of the deadliest days for the military of the conflict so far.
Eight Israeli combat engineering soldiers were killed on Saturday in the southern Gaza city of Rafah when their armoured personnel carrier was destroyed by what officials said was likely to have been a Hamas anti-tank missile.