The prime minister’s remarks come amid rising criticism of Israel’s military campaign in the Gaza Strip, launched in the wake of Hamas’s October 7 attacks that left around 1,200 people killed and another 250 taken hostage. Israel says its operation is meant to only target Hamas fighters and not Palestinian civilians. Israel’s campaign has killed more than 31,000 people in Gaza, more than 70% of whom are women and children, according to the territory’s health ministry, causing widescale destruction, mass displacement and a looming famine. The United Nations, European Union and Israel’s closest ally, the United States, have all criticized its policies, calling on Netanyahu to allow more aid into the besieged enclave. Netanyahu says Israel’s policy is to allow as much aid ‘as needed’ The Israeli leader’s claim contradicts statements he made previously, in which he boasted about permitting “minimal humanitarian aid” to enter Gaza. “We provide minimal humanitarian aid,” Netanyahu…
