Israel Plans Gaza City Occupation Amid Diplomatic Stalemate
Good morning! It's Friday 9 August . This is The Front Cover, your daily portal into Mencari News's universe as well as our interpretation of the global scene.
One of the big issues today is that Israel is planning to take back control of Gaza City, which would intensify the war with Hamas and make us more worried about the hostages. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has urged Israel not to go ahead with its plans to occupy Gaza, saying that doing so could break international law.
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Israel Approves Military Takeover of Gaza City as Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
Israel's security cabinet has approved a plan for the military takeover of Gaza City, marking a significant escalation in the two-year conflict as 200 Palestinians have died from malnutrition and 15,000 children face starvation, according to health officials.
The decision comes as diplomatic efforts have stalled, with Hamas refusing an internationally brokered ceasefire proposal that would have paused fighting for 60 days and facilitated prisoner exchanges, according to Australian Jewish community leaders.
Australia Condemns Israel's Gaza Occupation Plans as International Law Violation
Australia strongly condemned Israel's decision to expand its military occupation of the Gaza Strip, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong warning the move would worsen the humanitarian catastrophe and violate international law.
The sharp rebuke came as the Netanyahu government announced plans to take control of the entire Gaza Strip and exclude the Palestinian Authority from future governance arrangements. Assistant Foreign Minister Matt Thistlethwaite told ABC's Afternoon Briefing that Australia views the decision as a significant setback to peace efforts.
Housing Minister Defends Target Despite Warnings Government Will Miss 1.2M Home Goal
Housing Minister Clare O'Neil defended the government's ambitious target to build 1.2 million homes by 2029 despite fresh warnings from property experts and Treasury that the goal will not be met.
Property research firm Cotality became the latest industry voice to warn the current approach is insufficient, following earlier Treasury advice that the target is unattainable under present construction rates. The warnings come as Australia grapples with a housing crisis that has locked a generation out of the property market.
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