Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his decision on Monday to continue the war in the Gaza Strip, despite growing pressure on his government to end the conflict and reach a deal for the release of hostages.
In addressing his cabinet, Netanyahu said he would convene a special meeting “this week” to instruct the military on how to achieve the three key war objectives set by the government. According to Israel’s Channel 11, the meeting is scheduled for later today.
Netanyahu’s three objectives in the Gaza war
“We are in the midst of an intense war in which we have achieved significant and historic successes, remaining united throughout,” Netanyahu stated.
He emphasized the importance of national unity and reiterated the goals of the military campaign, which include: defeating Hamas, securing the release of Israeli hostages, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.
Palestinian Authority condemns remarks
In response, the Palestinian Authority condemned Netanyahu’s reports of a potential Israeli occupation of Gaza, urging the international community to intervene immediately to prevent any such plan—whether intended as a pressure tactic, a test of global reaction, or a genuine strategic move.
Since the October 7 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in 2023, the Israeli government has been engaged in war against the militant group. However, it now faces increasing international pressure to bring the hostilities to an end.
Call for US intervention in Gaza conflict
Nearly 600 former Israeli security officials, among them Mossad and Shin Bet veterans, have urged US President Donald Trump to pressure Netanyahu to end the war and prioritize the release of hostages. In a joint letter, they demanded an immediate ceasefire to the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
“Stop the war in Gaza!” the letter reads, bearing the signatures of former intelligence chiefs, generals, and senior officials from various branches of Israel’s defense establishment.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, the leading group representing hostage families, also issued a sharp rebuke of Netanyahu’s leadership, stating: “Netanyahu is leading Israel to destruction and the hostages to their deaths.”
“For 22 months, he has fostered the illusion that military pressure and intense combat will bring the hostages home,” a spokesperson of the Forum said. “It’s a lie—a deception of the public.”
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