Israel must respect international law in its military operation in Gaza, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Wednesday, calling the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave increasingly "dramatic and unjustifiable".

French President Emmanuel Macron said Israel’s blocking of humanitarian aid to Gaza is “unacceptable” and “shameful” in comments that were quickly denounced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “It’s terrible.

French President Emmanuel Macron accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “shameful” behavior in blocking aid to Gaza, and called on the European Union to toughen its stance against the country.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly stated that the war in Gaza will not end until Hamas is completely destroyed - even if more hostages are released. His comments follow renewed ceasefire talks and the release of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander by Hamas earlier this week.

Despite American pressure, Israel sticks to rigid terms as deadly airstrikes continue across Gaza during US President Trump’s regional visit - Anadolu Ajansı

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would normally celebrate a hostage release such as that taking place on Monday, though in this case the deal with Hamas is another sign US President Donald Trump is starting to make decisions without him.

A group of 67 former hostages on Wednesday urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages. In an open letter entitled "A Call to Make History,

Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu defiantly ramps up the war in Gaza, despite mounting pressure from Trump and castigation by France's president.