Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that his government will not end the war in Gaza. He declared plans to fully reoccupy the territory, rejecting any ceasefire agreements that do not meet Israel’s terms.
During a press conference in West Jerusalem, Netanyahu stated that at least 20 Israeli hostages remain alive in Gaza, with up to 38 others presumed dead. He emphasized that Israel would only consider a temporary pause in fighting for the sake of recovering additional hostages. However, he ruled out any long-term truce or withdrawal.
Rights Groups Report Abuse of Palestinian Prisoners
More than 10,100 Palestinians remain in Israeli prisons. According to both Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations, many detainees have faced torture, starvation, and medical neglect.
In response to the ongoing crisis, Hamas has offered to release all Israeli captives in exchange for a permanent ceasefire, full Israeli withdrawal, and the release of Palestinian prisoners. Netanyahu rejected this proposal. He instead demanded the disarmament of all Palestinian factions and the removal of Hamas leadership from Gaza.
Opposition Leaders and Hostage Families Speak Out
Opposition leaders in Israel have accused Netanyahu of prolonging the war for political gain. Many believe he is acting under pressure from far-right members of his ruling coalition.
Yair Lapid, a former prime minister and current opposition leader, issued a recorded statement on X. He warned that Netanyahu’s remarks signaled a long-term military occupation of Gaza. Lapid also said that Netanyahu falsely claimed to be in full coordination with the United States and had lost the support of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Yair Golan, leader of the center-left Democrats party, shared a similar view. He described Netanyahu’s performance as erratic and untruthful. Golan also announced plans to file a defamation lawsuit against the prime minister and predicted his defeat in the next election.
The hostages’ families joined the criticism. In a statement on X, the families called the situation “the missed opportunity of the century.” They said the war, now entering its twentieth month, shows no signs of ending and has destroyed hopes for national healing.
Netanyahu’s Humanitarian Plan and Military Goals
Netanyahu unveiled a new humanitarian aid plan for Gaza, which he claimed was developed with U.S. involvement. Yet, U.S. officials have not publicly confirmed participation in the plan.
The aid plan includes three steps: immediate delivery of basic food for children, the creation of food distribution centers managed by American firms and secured by Israeli forces, and the establishment of evacuation zones for civilians. Despite these humanitarian efforts, Netanyahu remains focused on military goals.
He outlined three preconditions for ending the war: the return of all hostages, elimination of Hamas leadership, and complete disarmament of Palestinian resistance groups. Once these conditions are met, Netanyahu said Israel would implement the Trump Plan—a controversial strategy widely interpreted as enabling the forced relocation of Palestinians from Gaza.
Civilian Deaths and International Legal Action
Since October 2023, the Israeli army has conducted a relentless offensive in Gaza. Nearly 53,700 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, according to local health authorities.
International legal bodies have taken action. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. They face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Separately, the International Court of Justice is reviewing a genocide case against Israel. Multiple governments and international legal experts have submitted evidence in support of the claim.
Netanyahu continues to reject any diplomatic efforts to end the war. He remains committed to a full military and political reoccupation of Gaza, despite increasing domestic and international opposition. As the humanitarian crisis deepens and legal proceedings intensify, calls for accountability and a shift in Israeli policy are growing louder.
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