Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his government’s commitment to continuing military operations in Gaza, stating that Israel has “no choice” but to press on with its campaign until Hamas is dismantled, all hostages are freed, and long-term security is assured.
Speaking amid escalating domestic and international scrutiny, Netanyahu said the war would not end until Israel meets its strategic objectives. “We will not stop until Hamas is destroyed, our hostages are home, and Gaza no longer poses a threat to our people,” he said.
Netanyahu also renewed his longstanding pledge to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a cornerstone of his national security policy.
His remarks come as pressure intensifies from multiple fronts. Families of hostages, reservist soldiers, and retired military personnel have increasingly questioned the continuation of the war, especially following the collapse of a temporary ceasefire last month.
Netanyahu said Hamas recently rejected Israel’s latest offer, which included the release of half of the remaining hostages in exchange for another temporary truce. Hamas, in contrast, has demanded a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire — terms aligned with a previous agreement that Israel subsequently exited.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian toll in Gaza continues to rise. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israeli strikes have killed more than 90 people over the past 48 hours. Among the casualties were at least 15 women and children, including 11 in Khan Younis — several of whom were sheltering in tents in the Muwasi area, designated by Israel as a humanitarian zone.
In Rafah, four additional people, including a mother and her daughter, were killed in overnight airstrikes, local hospital officials reported.
Grief has gripped communities across southern Gaza, with mourners gathering to bid farewell to loved ones. In one scene, a man gently touched the forehead of a young child before the body bag was sealed. “Omar is gone … I wish it was me,” cried the boy’s brother.
As fighting intensifies, calls for a renewed ceasefire and broader peace negotiations continue to grow both within Israel and abroad.
