Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Wednesday that he is open to a “temporary ceasefire” in Gaza if it facilitates the release of hostages, amid mounting international criticism over Israel’s renewed military offensive and aid blockade in the region.
“If there is an option for a temporary ceasefire to free hostages, we’ll be ready,” Netanyahu said, noting that at least 20 hostages are believed to be alive. However, he emphasized that Israel intends to bring the entire Gaza Strip under its control as part of its current military campaign.
“We must avoid a humanitarian crisis in order to preserve our freedom of operational action,” he added.
His statement comes as tensions escalate following reports that Israeli troops fired “warning shots” near a foreign diplomatic delegation visiting the occupied West Bank city of Jenin. The Palestinian foreign ministry accused Israeli forces of deliberately targeting the group, while a European diplomat explained the visit aimed to assess damage from ongoing Israeli military raids.
The Israeli army acknowledged the incident, stating the delegation had strayed from its approved route into a restricted area. While no injuries were reported, the army expressed regret for the “inconvenience caused.”
The incident has sparked condemnation. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged Israel to conduct a thorough investigation and hold those responsible accountable. Meanwhile, humanitarian concerns in Gaza continue to grow.
Palestinian rescue teams reported overnight Israeli airstrikes killed at least 19 people, including a one-week-old infant. Gaza has been grappling with dire shortages of food and medicine following a two-month total blockade that was only partially lifted this week. Israel allowed 100 aid trucks into Gaza on Wednesday, after 93 the previous day. The UN and aid agencies say this remains far below what is needed.
Umm Talal al-Masri, a 53-year-old displaced woman in Gaza City, described the dire conditions: “We’re grinding lentils and pasta to make some loaves of bread, and we barely manage to prepare one meal a day.”
The Israeli military intensified its campaign over the weekend, vowing to crush Hamas in response to its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed 1,218 people, mostly civilians. Militants also took 251 hostages; 57 are still believed to be in Gaza, with 34 confirmed dead by the Israeli military.
Since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18, at least 3,509 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The total death toll from the war now stands at 53,655.
The renewed offensive and worsening humanitarian crisis have led to diplomatic backlash. Sweden is pushing the EU to impose sanctions on Israeli ministers, while Britain suspended free-trade talks with Israel and summoned the Israeli ambassador. EU ministers are also reviewing the bloc’s trade cooperation with Israel, a move Israel’s foreign ministry dismissed as a “total misunderstanding” of its security situation.
Pope Leo XIV called the crisis “worrying and painful,” urging the entry of adequate humanitarian aid, while Germany defended the importance of continued dialogue with Israel through EU channels.
What you should know
Prime Minister Netanyahu has expressed willingness for a temporary Gaza ceasefire to secure the release of hostages but remains committed to Israel’s military objectives.
Meanwhile, global criticism is intensifying over Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe and a controversial incident involving a diplomatic convoy, heightening calls for accountability and a shift in policy.
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