JERUSALEM, Israel – Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz has approved plans for Operation Gideon's Chariot II to conquer Gaza City as Australia's prime minister responds to sharp criticism from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Gaza military operation will involve five Israel Defense Forces divisions, call-up of as many as 60,000 reserves. The initial phase has already begun. The IDF will be encouraging Gaza City residents to move south to safe zones.

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responded on Tuesday to a scathing letter from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The focus of the war of words is Australia's plan to recognize a Palestinian state.

In a letter written on Sunday, Netanyahu told Albanese that calling for a Palestinian state pours "fuel on this antis

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