Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed his commitment to the ongoing offensive in Gaza, emphasizing that the military campaign “isn’t close to finished.” The announcement comes amid increasing pressure from the Israeli public, particularly the families of over 100 hostages believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza.
During a visit to northern Gaza on Monday, Netanyahu addressed lawmakers from his Likud Party, dismissing speculation about a potential ceasefire and asserting that the war would persist until Hamas is dismantled. The prime minister stressed the necessity of applying military pressure to secure the release of remaining hostages held by the militant group.
“We are expanding the fight in the coming days, and this will be a long battle,” Netanyahu declared, indicating that Israeli forces needed more time to intensify military operations against Hamas.
However, the prime minister faced a tumultuous scene in parliament as relatives of the hostages interrupted his speech, shouting, “Now! Now!” and demanding the immediate return of their loved ones. The families, who have anxiously awaited the release of hostages after 80 days in captivity, expressed frustration and impatience.
Netanyahu’s commitment to the ongoing offensive has also stirred domestic unrest, with protesters gathering near the defense ministry headquarters in central Tel Aviv. Holding signs that read “Free our hostages now – at any cost!” the demonstrators urged decisive action to bring an end to the prolonged conflict.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid echoed the sentiment, insisting that Israel must “bring the hostages home now” and criticized the government for not doing enough. His remarks received applause from the families of the hostages.
The death toll among Israeli soldiers engaged in the ground operation has been steadily rising, reaching a total of 156 casualties. This, coupled with the protracted conflict, has raised concerns about waning public support for the war. The United States, Israel’s closest ally, has been urging a reduction in the intensity of operations in Gaza to minimize civilian casualties.
The conflict was triggered by Hamas’s October 7 cross-border attack on Israel, resulting in the death of 1,140 people and the abduction of 240 hostages. Since then, over 20,400 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to health officials.
Despite a recent UN Security Council resolution calling for urgent action towards a ceasefire, the fighting on the ground has escalated since the collapse of a seven-day truce in early December.
As diplomatic efforts continue, an Egyptian proposal to end the war has been met with skepticism from both Israel and Hamas. The three-stage plan involves a cessation of hostilities, the release of hostages, and a negotiation period for a comprehensive agreement. However, Hamas and Islamic Jihad have reportedly rejected the proposal, and the Israeli war cabinet is deliberating its response.
In the midst of these developments, Netanyahu, in an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, reiterated three prerequisites for peace: the destruction of Hamas, the demilitarization of Gaza, and the deradicalization of Palestinian society. He emphasized that achieving these goals would pave the way for the reconstruction of Gaza and the prospect of broader peace in the Middle East.
