Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed negotiations to begin for the release of all remaining hostages while simultaneously approving a massive assault on Gaza City, despite widespread international opposition.
Speaking to Israeli troops at Gaza division headquarters Thursday night, Netanyahu said his cabinet had approved plans for the offensive on Gaza's northern city, home to one million residents.
"I have instructed to immediately begin negotiations for the release of all our hostages," Netanyahu said in a video statement. "I have come to approve the IDF's plans to take control of Gaza City and defeat Hamas."
The announcement came after Hamas agreed Monday to a Qatari and Egyptian-mediated proposal for a 60-day ceasefire that would see half of the remaining hostages released. However, Netanyahu hasn't accepted the deal currently on the table.
Israeli media reported that negotiators will be dispatched for renewed talks once a location is determined. Netanyahu stressed the two objectives are interconnected: "Defeating Hamas and releasing all our hostages go hand in hand."
Israeli officials have voiced strong opposition this week to any ceasefire deal involving only partial hostage releases. Last Saturday, Netanyahu's office stated Israel would only "agree to a deal on condition that all the hostages are released in one go."
Israel's conditions for ending the war include Hamas's disarmament, Gaza's demilitarization, Israeli control of Gaza's perimeter, and installing non-Hamas, non-Palestinian Authority governance. Israel believes only 20 of the 50 remaining hostages are still alive after 22 months of war.
Hamas accused Netanyahu on Wednesday of disregarding mediators' ceasefire proposals and obstructing an agreement, according to Reuters. The militant group had shown willingness to negotiate through the Qatari-Egyptian framework.
Palestinians reported heavy bombardment in eastern Gaza City areas on Thursday, a day after the military announced it had taken the first steps in the offensive. The IDF has warned medical officials and international organizations to prepare for evacuating Gaza City's entire population to southern shelters.
Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry rejected "any step that would undermine what remains of the health system." The UN and aid groups have vowed to stay and help those who cannot or choose not to move.
The planned Gaza City offensive represents a significant escalation as indirect talks with Hamas broke down last month. Netanyahu announced Israel's intention to control the entire Gaza Strip following the collapse of negotiations.
Israel's military campaign began in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, when about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others taken hostage. At least 62,192 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory's health ministry.
The ministry's casualty figures are quoted by the UN and others as the most reliable statistics available. Gaza children are expected to arrive in the UK for support in the coming weeks, highlighting the conflict's humanitarian impact on civilians.
Netanyahu's dual approach of pursuing hostage negotiations while planning a major military offensive reflects the complex political and military pressures he faces domestically. Israeli families of hostages have demanded their loved ones' return, while others push for Hamas's complete destruction.
The timing of the announcements suggests Netanyahu may be using the threat of escalated military action as leverage in potential negotiations. However, his insistence on all hostages being released simultaneously could complicate any deal.
International mediators Qatar and Egypt have worked for months to broker agreements between the warring parties. Their latest proposal represented a compromise that Hamas was willing to accept, but Israel's rejection suggests significant gaps remain.
The planned evacuation of one million Gaza City residents would represent one of the largest forced population movements in the conflict. Humanitarian organizations have expressed alarm about the logistics and human cost of such an operation.
UN officials and aid groups have criticized the evacuation orders, arguing that Gaza's south already struggles to accommodate displaced populations from previous military operations. The territory's infrastructure has been severely damaged throughout the war.
Netanyahu's announcement that negotiations would resume offers some hope for diplomatic progress, though his maximalist demands suggest a difficult path ahead. The parallel military preparations indicate Israel's willingness to use force if talks fail.
0 Comments