Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a new plan to intensify military operations in Gaza, targeting the remaining Hamas strongholds, which he described as “the best way to end the war.”
Speaking at a press conference in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said the operation would be carried out on a “fairly short timetable” to bring the conflict to a close.
Nearly two years into the war, sparked by Hamas’s 2023 attack on Israel, public opinion remains deeply divided. While some call for an immediate ceasefire and a hostage-release deal, others push for a complete military defeat of Hamas. The announcement, which follows the security cabinet’s decision to advance on Gaza City, has drawn both domestic and international criticism.
Netanyahu outlined the operation’s objectives as dismantling Hamas’s last two strongholds in Gaza City and the central camps, while creating secure corridors for civilians to leave. He stated that Israel already controls about 70–75% of Gaza.
The plan has faced pushback from protesters in Tel Aviv, who warn it could endanger hostages and cost more soldiers’ lives, and from far-right members of Netanyahu’s cabinet, who argue it does not go far enough. Internationally, the UN and several foreign governments have cautioned that the move could worsen Gaza’s humanitarian crisis and increase civilian casualties.
Despite the backlash, Netanyahu reaffirmed his determination, insisting, “We will win the war, with or without the support of others,” and stating that Israel’s goal is to establish a civilian administration in Gaza not linked to Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.
What you should know
The expanded military campaign comes as 49 of the 251 hostages taken in Hamas’s 2023 attack remain in Gaza, with 27 confirmed dead.
Gaza’s health ministry reports at least 61,430 Palestinians killed since the start of the war, while the initial Hamas assault left 1,219 dead in Israel. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with famine warnings and ongoing civilian casualties.
