“If you put the national over personal, you will find in us partners in the struggle,” Gantz said. “But if you choose the path of fanatics and lead the entire nation to the abyss, we will be forced to quit the government.”

US Central Command described the operation as an ongoing, multinational effort to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza through a maritime corridor.

South Africa is pushing for Israel to grant “unimpeded access” to Gaza for aid workers, journalists, and investigators. This comes as part of a broader effort to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Reports from both Israeli forces and Palestinian groups suggest that fierce battles have erupted in the northern Gazan town of Jabalia.

The Israeli military has said five of its soldiers have died in Gaza in one of the deadliest incidents of its kind since the beginning of the war. 

“People face constant exhaustion, hunger and fear,” warned the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Unrwa.