Benjamin Netanyahu under increasing pressure to accept Gaza ceasefire amid famine

Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu is facing rising pressure to accept a ceasefire because of the faminehorror in Gaza.

Intelligence analysis reveals Israel’s aid blockade and constant air attacks have ­backfired leaving him nearer isolation from his ally, the US. The Soufan Centre, run by Middle East expert Ali Souffan, says he “is coming under broad pressure to wind down Israel’s military involvement in Gaza” as US President Donald Trump draws back from his support because of the famine.

“Trump has not urged him to end the war,” says the independent analysis organisation’s report. “But he has broken with him on the humanitarian situation.”

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The report adds that Mr Trump’s aides “appear to be pressing on with efforts to forge another temporary ceasefire”. It came as a United Nations Food Security panel claimed “the worst-case scenario of famine is playing out in the Strip”.

Meanwhile there was more anguish in Gaza yesterday as hospitals reported the killing of at least 18 people by Israeli fire, eight of them food-seekers.

Close to a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution site, Yahia Youssef, looking for aid, described how he helped carry out three people with gunshot wounds. He said he saw many others lying on the ground bleeding. “It’s the same daily episode,” Mr Youssef said. The GHF media office said “nothing [happened] at or near our sites”.

It came a day after US officials visited one site and the US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee called the GHF’s distribution “an incredible feat”.

International outrage has mounted as the group’s efforts to deliver aid to hunger-stricken Gaza have been marred by violence and controversy.