Netanyahu has said a push to release the hostages would accompany the operation to take control of Gaza City and destroy the Hamas stronghold.
Israel Threatens Full-Scale Gaza City Invasion
Israel has issued a final warning to Hamas, demanding the immediate release of all hostages, disarmament, and an end to the conflict under Israeli terms. This comes ahead of a planned expanded offensive to seize Gaza City, a major Hamas stronghold.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated on social media:
“Soon, the gates of hell will open upon the heads of Hamas’s murderers and rapists in Gaza—until they agree to Israel’s conditions for ending the war.”
He added that if Hamas fails to comply, Gaza City would face destruction similar to Rafah and Beit Hanoun, both of which were heavily targeted in earlier military operations.
Netanyahu: Hostage Release Tied to Gaza City Takeover
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the military would move forward with plans to capture Gaza City, alongside a new push to free the remaining Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.
In a public video address, Netanyahu emphasized:
“Defeating Hamas and releasing all our hostages go hand in hand.”
He also directed his government to begin immediate negotiations for the captives’ release. However, the details of the upcoming talks remain unclear.
Israel Mobilizes 60,000 Reservists for Gaza Campaign
Earlier this week, Israel’s Defence Ministry approved the mobilization of approximately 60,000 reservists. This large-scale deployment signals a significant escalation in Israel’s Gaza strategy.
The operation aims to fully dismantle Hamas’s military infrastructure in Gaza City, viewed as the group’s central base of operations.
Ceasefire Proposal and Hostage Deal at a Stalemate
According to AFP reports, mediators are awaiting an official Israeli response to a ceasefire proposal already accepted by Hamas. The deal includes a staggered release of hostages, but Israel has insisted on the simultaneous release of all captives.
This difference in conditions has stalled progress, even as international pressure mounts for a diplomatic resolution.
Rising Death Toll Fuels Global Outcry
The planned assault on Gaza City has sparked both international criticism and domestic opposition. The conflict escalated following Hamas’s October 2023 attack, which killed 1,219 people in Israel, mostly civilians.
In response, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has led to the deaths of over 62,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom were civilians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. These figures are considered reliable by the United Nations.
As Israel prepares to launch a major ground operation to take Gaza City, global eyes are on the evolving conflict. Whether negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release succeed remains uncertain, but the stakes on both sides continue to rise.
