Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallan said that the next phase of the war in Gaza will be less intense, the Associated Press reports. He rejected international calls for an end to the country’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip, saying the current phase of the operation against Hamas militants “will continue.” During the briefing, Gallant declined to set a specific timeline, but noted that the current phase could drag on for weeks, and further military action could take months.

Gallant also said Israel has “no intention” of staying in Gaza permanently after its military campaign to oust Hamas ends.

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05:46 The US executive branch expressed “concern” on Monday after the publication of an article in the Washington Post, which, based on an analysis of some fragments, claimed that Israel used US white phosphorus munitions during attacks in southern Lebanon in October, AFP reported.

“We are aware of the article and of course we are concerned. We will be asking questions to try to find out a little bit more,” said John Kirby, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council.

According to the Convention signed in 1980 in Geneva, phosphorus bombs are incendiary weapons, the use of which is prohibited against civilians, but not against military targets.

23:40 The situation in Gaza is “apocalyptic” for the civilian population, the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, warned on Monday, estimating that the level of destruction in the Palestinian territory is higher than in Germany during the Second World War, quoted by AFP.

“Unfortunately, the level of destruction of buildings in Gaza is even greater than the destruction suffered by German cities during World War II,” Borrell said at the end of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. He spoke of the “catastrophic” situation, saying the level of human suffering was an “unprecedented challenge”.

On Monday, EU foreign ministers discussed additional sanctions against Hamas based on a proposal by France, Italy and Germany. “There was no objection,” said Josep Borrell, adding that he would make a proposal on the 27th.

He noted that possible sanctions against Israeli extremists in the West Bank were also discussed. Here “there was no unanimity,” he clarified, adding that he would still submit a proposal to the member states. EU countries have also called for a lasting ceasefire in the conflict in Gaza.