Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed negotiators to prepare for new talks aimed at securing the release of all hostages still held in Gaza. At the same time, he has authorized the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to move ahead with large-scale operations against Gaza City, signaling that his government intends to pursue both diplomatic and military tracks simultaneously.
Netanyahu addressed Israeli forces during a late-night visit to the Gaza Division headquarters, where he confirmed that Israel’s leadership had finalized operational plans for a full assault on Gaza City. According to military sources, the goal is to take control of the city, dismantle Hamas’s command structure, and prevent the group from re-establishing its hold over northern Gaza.
Israeli officials argue that the issues of hostage release and the defeat of Hamas cannot be separated. In their view, increasing military pressure on Gaza City creates leverage that could force Hamas to concede in future negotiations. Critics, however, warn that such an approach risks collapsing the fragile mediation efforts already underway and may worsen the humanitarian crisis.
Hamas Accepts Mediated Ceasefire Proposal
Earlier in the week, Hamas agreed to a ceasefire framework drawn up by mediators from Qatar and Egypt. The proposal included a 60-day suspension of hostilities and the release of roughly half the hostages believed to remain in Gaza. In return, Israel would free a significant number of long-term Palestinian prisoners, many of whom have been held for decades.
Hamas officials presented the plan as a good-faith step to ease the suffering of Gaza’s population and create space for a longer political settlement. Mediators in Doha and Cairo expressed cautious optimism that the proposal could open a path toward reducing violence.
Israel’s Position: Full Hostage Release and Wider Demands
Despite international pressure, Israel rejected the current version of the ceasefire deal. Israeli leaders insist that only the complete and unconditional release of all remaining hostages will be acceptable.
Netanyahu’s office issued a clear outline of conditions for any agreement to end the war. These include:
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The release of all hostages in one stage rather than a phased exchange.
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The disarming of Hamas and removal of its military capabilities.
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The permanent demilitarization of the Gaza Strip.
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Israeli control of the external perimeter of Gaza.
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The establishment of a governing authority in Gaza that excludes both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.
Israeli security officials believe that out of the estimated 50 hostages still held, only around 20 remain alive after nearly two years of conflict. This grim assessment has fueled calls within Israel for more aggressive action to bring them home.
Preparations for Gaza City Offensive
While negotiations remain uncertain, the IDF is preparing for what could be the most significant urban military operation of the war. Officials have confirmed that tens of thousands of reservists have been called up. Troops have been conducting raids and bombardments on the outskirts of Gaza City, particularly in the eastern neighborhoods, to weaken Hamas’s defenses before a possible ground incursion.
Israeli commanders have informed humanitarian agencies that they should prepare for the mass evacuation of up to one million residents from Gaza City to shelters in the south of the territory. Military planners say that once civilians are relocated, a full assault on the city will begin.
However, Gaza’s health ministry, which operates under Hamas, has rejected the evacuation plan, warning that moving such a large population is impossible given the collapse of infrastructure, food shortages, and lack of medical capacity. The United Nations and major humanitarian organizations have also announced that they will remain in Gaza City to support those unable or unwilling to move, raising concerns about their safety in the event of an attack.
Humanitarian Catastrophe
The humanitarian toll of the war continues to worsen. According to figures from Gaza’s health ministry, at least 62,192 Palestinians have been killed since the war began in October 2023. These figures, regularly cited by the United Nations and international organizations, are regarded as the most reliable casualty statistics available despite difficulties in verification.
Alongside the deaths from bombardments and fighting, the humanitarian crisis has deepened as a result of famine, malnutrition, and lack of medical care. UN officials recently confirmed that at least 271 people have died from starvation-related causes, including more than 100 children. Aid groups warn that Gaza’s population is facing one of the most severe hunger crises in recent memory, with food and clean water in critically short supply.
The health system in Gaza, already fragile before the war, is on the brink of total collapse. Hospitals are operating with dwindling supplies of medicine, fuel, and surgical equipment. Many medical facilities have been destroyed or damaged by airstrikes, and doctors are struggling to treat thousands of wounded people. Local health authorities have described the situation as unsustainable, urging international intervention to prevent further loss of life.
Political and International Reactions
Netanyahu’s decision to pursue both negotiations and a new military offensive has drawn strong reactions both inside Israel and abroad.
Domestically, families of hostages have staged protests, demanding that the government prioritize agreements to secure the safe return of their relatives before escalating military action. Some members of Israel’s war cabinet have reportedly expressed concerns that rejecting the Qatari-Egyptian proposal outright could miss a rare opportunity to end the conflict.
Internationally, Arab states including Egypt, Qatar, and Jordan have criticized Israel’s insistence on maximalist terms, warning that the approach risks prolonging the war indefinitely. Western allies, while backing Israel’s right to self-defense, have voiced increasing unease about the scale of civilian suffering in Gaza and the implications of a full takeover of Gaza City.
Timeline of the War
The current war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel that killed around 1,200 people and resulted in the kidnapping of 251 hostages. In response, Israel began a massive military campaign aimed at eliminating Hamas’s presence in Gaza.
After 22 months of fighting, Hamas remains resilient despite suffering heavy losses. Israel has regained control of much of Gaza but continues to face organized resistance, particularly in northern areas. The planned offensive on Gaza City represents Israel’s latest attempt to deliver a decisive blow.
The Stakes Ahead
The outcome of this moment is critical for both sides. For Israel, the key objectives are the safe return of hostages, the neutralization of Hamas, and long-term security control over Gaza. For Hamas, survival as a political and military force depends on securing terms that do not include complete disarmament or exclusion from governance.
For Gaza’s civilian population, the stakes are immediate and existential. Mass displacement, famine, and collapsing infrastructure have already pushed the territory into one of the world’s worst humanitarian emergencies.
As negotiations unfold alongside preparations for a large-scale assault, international mediators are warning that the next weeks may determine whether Gaza sees a fragile path toward de-escalation or enters an even more destructive phase of the conflict.
