Netanyahu Announces Peace Negotiations Contingent on Continued Military Pressure on Hamas as Fighting Resumes in Gaza
Amid a renewed military offensive in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that future peace negotiations with Hamas will only proceed under conditions of sustained military pressure. This announcement marks a significant shift in Israel’s approach to the conflict, signaling a determination to weaken Hamas militarily before engaging in further diplomatic efforts.
Netanyahu’s statement, delivered in a public address, was defiant in tone, blaming Hamas for the collapse of the previous ceasefire and accusing the media of echoing Hamas propaganda. He asserted that Hamas had repeatedly rejected proposals for hostage releases and a lasting truce, leaving Israel with no alternative but to resume military operations.
"From now on, the negotiations will resume only under fighting," Netanyahu stated, emphasizing the need for continued military pressure to achieve Israel’s objectives. He accused Hamas of refusing to engage in good-faith negotiations and prioritizing its own agenda over the well-being of the Palestinian people.
Netanyahu also addressed accusations that the renewed fighting was driven by his own political considerations, dismissing them as baseless and accusing his critics of lacking shame and red lines. He defended the actions of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), asserting that their recommendations and operations were based on security concerns and not political calculations.
"I hear the commentators reporting lies in the studios, as if the IDFs recommendation and IDF actions stem from political considerations," Netanyahu said. "They have no shame. They have no red lines. They simply echo Hamas propaganda time and time again."
Netanyahu outlined Israel’s efforts to extend the previous ceasefire, noting that delegations were sent to Doha and Cairo, and proposals were made in coordination with mediators. He also mentioned the acceptance of a proposal from the American envoy, Steve Witkoff, but emphasized that Hamas had rejected every offer.
Israel’s military launched a large-scale bombing campaign on Tuesday, effectively ending the ceasefire that had been in place since late January. According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, the offensive resulted in at least 404 fatalities, potentially making it one of the deadliest days of the conflict since October 7, 2023.
"I want to assure you: This is just the beginning," Netanyahu warned, signaling a prolonged and intensified military campaign.
In addition to the renewed fighting in Gaza, Israel reported intercepting a ballistic missile fired from Yemen by Houthi rebels. This incident occurred after a series of U.S.-led strikes on Houthi targets over the weekend, further escalating tensions in the region.
Hazam el-Assad, a senior Houthi official, responded to the Israeli interception by posting on X, stating that "The Zionists will pay for their crimes against children, women, and civilians."
Netanyahu claimed that Israel was "changing the face of the Middle East" through its military actions. He asserted that "military pressure brings the hostages" and pointed to the previous release of hostages as evidence of this strategy’s effectiveness.
The prime minister addressed the issue of civilian casualties, attributing them to Hamas’s practice of embedding itself in civilian areas and using civilians as human shields. He stated that Israel does not intentionally target Palestinian civilians but acknowledged that unintended casualties occur when terrorists operate within civilian populations.
"Israel does not target Palestinian civilians. We target Hamas terrorists. And when these terrorists embed themselves in civilian areas, when they use civilians as human shields, they are the ones who are responsible for all unintended casualties," Netanyahu said. He urged Palestinian civilians to avoid contact with Hamas and to move to safer areas to avoid harm.
The IDF and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) released a joint statement announcing the elimination of several high-ranking Hamas officials in airstrikes, including Essam al-Daalis, described as "the most senior figure of authority in the Gaza Strip." The statement also indicated with "high probability" that strikes had killed Mahmoud Marzouk Ahmed Abu-Watfa, the Minister of Internal Affairs in charge of Hamas Internal Security Forces; Bahajat Hassan Mohammed Abu-Sultan, Head of Hamas Internal Security Forces; and Ahmed Amar Abdullah Alhata, Hamas Minister of Justice.
The White House expressed support for Israel’s decision to renew the bombing campaign, with National Security Council (NSC) spokesman Brian Hughest telling Fox News Digital that "Hamas could have released hostages to extend the ceasefire but instead chose refusal and war."
Netanyahu expressed his gratitude to former President Donald Trump for his "unwavering support," stating that "Our alliance with the United States has never been stronger."
During the two-month ceasefire, 33 hostages were returned to Israel in exchange for nearly 1,800 Palestinian prisoners. However, 59 hostages remain in Hamas’ captivity, with Israel believing that around 35 of them are deceased.
The renewed fighting and Netanyahu’s conditional approach to peace negotiations have drawn condemnation from some international actors, while others have expressed understanding for Israel’s security concerns. The situation remains highly volatile, with the potential for further escalation and a prolonged period of conflict.
