Netanyahu rules out Gaza annexation in talks with Indian ambassador

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out the possibility of annexing Gaza, stating that Israel "will not annex Gaza" during a meeting with Indian Ambassador to Israel, J. P. Singh, on August 7.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the two officials met to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation and held further talks on regional security and economic matters, Caliber.Az reports.

During the meeting, Netanyahu said he intends to establish a "security perimeter" around the Gaza Strip to prevent a repeat of the October 7 attack.

He also addressed the humanitarian situation in the enclave, saying that “innocents must be separated from Hamas.”

At least 61,158 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s ongoing military campaign against the Gaza Strip since October 2023, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The casualties include at least 193 people who have died from starvation due to the Israeli-imposed blockade.

Now entering its second year, the conflict has severely impacted all aspects of life in Gaza — including sports. The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) reports that 288 sports facilities across Gaza and the West Bank have been either partially or completely destroyed, including stadiums, gyms, and football clubs.

Of these, 268 were located in Gaza. The PFA's own headquarters were among the sites struck by Israeli airstrikes.

According to estimates, nearly 90% of Gaza’s sports infrastructure has been destroyed. The widespread destruction, combined with famine and ongoing bombardment, has led to a collapse of athletic life in the territory.

Athletes, coaches, and referees are among the dead, and many residents are abandoning sports altogether as survival takes priority.

The United Nations and aid agencies continue to warn of mass starvation as Israel’s blockade restricts access to essential supplies, including food, fuel, and humanitarian aid.

By Aghakazim Guliyev