Netanyahu 'a problem in himself', has gone 'too far', Danish PM says

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen hit out at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in sharply worded remarks, calling him a "problem" and highlighting the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.

She added that she is going to start exerting pressure on Israel over the war on Gaza, as her country holds the EU presidency.

"Netanyahu is now a problem in himself," she said, adding that the Israeli government had gone "too far".

The comments were made in an interview with the Jyllands-Posten daily, where she further criticised the soaring malnutrition and devastation in the enclave caused by Israel restricting aid and targeting civilian areas.

She said the situation had become "absolutely appalling and catastrophic" and criticised Israel’s new settlement plan in the occupied West Bank, which is deemed illegal by international law.

"We are one of the countries that wants to increase pressure on Israel, but we have not yet obtained the support of EU members," she continued.

Frederiksen also added that she is considering political pressure and` sanctions, "whether against settlers, ministers, or even Israel as a whole".

She hinted at trade sanctions and reiterated that she is taking the matter seriously, saying: "We are not ruling anything out in advance. Just as with Russia, we are designing the sanctions to target where we believe they will have the greatest effect." 

The comments come days after Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Israel will be building a new illegal settlement comprised of thousands of housing units in the occupied West Bank.

Smotrich noted that the project will "eliminate the idea of a Palestinian state" and said the latest settlement is part of the "de facto sovereignty plan" which he says the Israeli government is implementing.

He added that the location of the settlement would sever the connection between the Palestinian West Bank cities of Ramallah and Bethlehem, further dividing the occupied territory and making the prospect of a Palestinian state almost impossible.

Several countries in recent weeks, including France, UK, Malta, and Australia, said they may recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, as pressure mounts against Israel to end the forced starvation and war on Gaza.

This comes as at least one more child in Gaza starved to death on Friday, taking the total toll of malnutrition-related deaths to 240, including 107 children.