Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed his stance that defeating Hamas in Gaza is essential to securing the release of the remaining hostages, just days before a key cabinet meeting to update Israel’s war strategy.
Speaking during a visit to a military training facility on Tuesday, Netanyahu said, “It is necessary to complete the defeat of the enemy in Gaza, to free all our hostages and to ensure that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel.”
His comments come amid reports that he is considering ordering a full military occupation of Gaza — a move that has sparked sharp international criticism and warnings of dire humanitarian consequences. A senior United Nations official, Miroslav Jenca, told the UN Security Council that escalating the conflict could have “catastrophic consequences” for millions of Palestinians and worsen the risk to the remaining hostages.
Netanyahu’s office confirmed he held a three-hour security meeting with IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir but offered no new details on the updated war plan.
Local media outlet Kan reported that the prime minister “wants the Israeli army to conquer the entire Gaza Strip,” citing unnamed cabinet members. The report added that Netanyahu has “decided to extend the fight to areas where hostages might be held.”
However, other outlets, including Channel 12, have speculated that the proposed expansion may be a strategic ploy in negotiations.
Palestinian factions have reacted strongly. Hamas declared that further Israeli offensives would not change its negotiating position, which demands the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
“The ball is in the hands of… (Israel) and the Americans,” said senior Hamas official Hossam Badran, who reiterated Hamas’s willingness to “end the war and the famine.”
The humanitarian toll continues to mount. The UN reports an unfolding famine in Gaza, while the death toll from the Israeli offensive has reached at least 61,020 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry. The war began following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, which left 1,219 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage.
Of those hostages, 49 remain in captivity, including 27 the Israeli military believes are dead.
In New York, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar joined a UN Security Council meeting on the hostages, following the release of disturbing footage showing frail captives.
The International Committee of the Red Cross said Tuesday it was “ready to bring in medicine, food and family news for the hostages in Gaza,” but emphasized that this could only happen once an agreement between Israel and Hamas is reached.
Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on Netanyahu both domestically and internationally. Families of the hostages have called for a ceasefire, while humanitarian organizations demand unimpeded access to Gaza.
Israel’s March blockade on Gaza has only recently been relaxed to allow limited food distribution by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). However, UN special rapporteurs have raised concerns, accusing GHF of being used for “covert military and geopolitical agendas” and calling for its dismantling.
COGAT, the Israeli body overseeing civil affairs in Palestinian territories, announced plans to partially reopen private sector trade with Gaza to reduce reliance on aid.
On the ground, violence continues. Gaza’s civil defence agency reported that at least 56 Palestinians were killed near aid distribution centres on Tuesday. The Israeli army said it had fired warning shots to disperse crowds but was “not aware of any casualties.”
In northern Gaza, 20 more people were reportedly killed near an aid crossing, with bodies seen at Hamad Hospital by AFP journalists. The Israeli military said it was investigating the incident.
