Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Thursday that Israel is simultaneously preparing to expand military operations in Gaza City and beginning talks to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.
In a short video message from the IDF’s Southern Command, Netanyahu said he had approved plans for “taking control of the city of Gaza and for defeating Hamas.” At the same time, he said he ordered “immediate negotiations” for the hostages’ release.
His language reflected a hardline stance: Israel will only accept a deal that includes the release of all hostages and Hamas’s surrender to Israel’s conditions. The prime minister did not address whether Israel would engage with the phased deal that Hamas accepted earlier in the week.
Hostage families, however, remain deeply concerned. They argue that linking military escalation with negotiations puts captives at greater risk. Hamas has not released hostages since Israel pulled out of the previous framework in March, and families fear the government’s uncompromising approach could cost lives.
