Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he has ordered negotiations to start for the release of all hostages and to end the war in Gaza on terms “acceptable to Israel.” On Thursday night, Netanyahu informed Israeli troops that his cabinet approved plans for a major offensive on Gaza City despite international and domestic criticism. A proposal for a 60-day ceasefire, mediated by Qatar and Egypt and accepted by Hamas, would release half of the remaining hostages. However, Netanyahu has rejected the current deal. Israeli media reports that negotiators will resume talks once a suitable location is identified.
In a video message at the Gaza division’s headquarters, Netanyahu stated that he had instructed negotiations for the release of all hostages to commence immediately. He affirmed that the plans for Israeli Defense Forces’ control over Gaza City and to defeat Hamas were also approved. Netanyahu emphasized that defeating Hamas and releasing hostages are interconnected, though he did not specify the next steps in negotiations. Israeli officials have voiced opposition to a ceasefire deal that involves only the partial release of hostages. Hamas accused Netanyahu of ignoring the ceasefire proposal and blocking an agreement. Last Saturday, Netanyahu’s office stated that Israel would agree to a deal only if all hostages were released at once, with war cessation conditions including disarming Hamas, demilitarizing Gaza, maintaining Israeli control of the Gaza perimeter, and establishing non-Hamas governance. Israel estimates that only 20 of the 50 hostages remain alive after 22 months of conflict.
On Thursday, Palestinians reported heavy bombardment in eastern Gaza City, following the military’s announcement of an offensive. The IDF has warned medical and international organizations to prepare for evacuating Gaza City’s one million residents to southern shelters before advancing. Gaza’s health ministry, run by Hamas, rejected any action undermining healthcare, while the UN and aid groups pledged to assist those unable or unwilling to leave. Netanyahu declared Israel’s aim to control the entire Gaza Strip after indirect ceasefire and hostage deal talks with Hamas failed last month. The Israeli military campaign in Gaza followed the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages. Since then, at least 62,192 people have died in Gaza, according to the territory’s health ministry, whose figures are widely regarded as the most accurate casualty statistics.