Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced the continuation and intensification of Israel's military efforts against Hamas in Gaza, stating that the campaign is far from its conclusion. Netanyahu, who visited Gaza on Monday, emphasized that the troops he met expressed a unanimous desire for Israel to persist in its operations.
According to BBC, this declaration follows remarks from the US Secretary of State urging Israel to reduce the intensity of its strikes. The conflict, initiated on October 7 after a deadly attack by Hamas on Israeli communities, has resulted in significant casualties, with Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry reporting around 20,674 Palestinian deaths due to Israeli bombardments, predominantly affecting women and children.
Netanyahu, addressing a Likud party meeting on Monday, reiterated his commitment to dismantling Hamas and securing the release of hostages taken during the initial incursion. He shared that the soldiers he encountered in Gaza urged a steadfast continuation of the fight.
In the backdrop of these developments, there are reports that Egypt has proposed a ceasefire plan, suggesting the phased release of Israeli hostages and an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails over a month and a half. The plan concludes with the suspension of Israel's offensive. A previous temporary truce facilitated by Qatar involved the release of hostages from Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Despite international calls for a ceasefire, both Israel and Hamas have thus far resisted. Netanyahu, addressing the Israeli parliament, emphasized the importance of military pressure in securing the release of hostages.
Recent incidents, including an Israeli airstrike in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp that reportedly claimed at least 70 lives, have drawn attention to the humanitarian impact of the conflict. The Israeli military, responding to the incident, stated its commitment to international law and minimizing harm to civilians, despite the challenges posed by Hamas's presence in civilian areas.
The situation remains fluid as diplomatic efforts continue amidst the ongoing military campaign.
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