Last week, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu announced a significant escalation in military operations against Hamas in Gaza. He stressed that the defeat of Israel’s enemies was more important than the release of hostages. This declaration, made on Thursday, sheds light on the halted negotiations for the release of the other 59 hostages still being held by Hamas. The families of those taken captive have become understandably and justifiably impatient.
Netanyahu’s remarks drew sharp criticism from representatives of the hostages’ families, who believe that the return of their loved ones should be prioritized. The Prime Minister accused Qatari mediators of “playing both sides” in the negotiations, urging Qatar to clarify its position: “decide if it’s on the side of civilization or if it’s on the side of Hamas barbarism.”
Israel’s military is reportedly gearing up to mobilize tens of thousands of additional reservists this week, citing the deteriorating hostage crisis. This decision follows the breakdown of negotiations that did not get very far. IDF General Eyal Zamir outlined a plan to Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz focused on maximizing pressure on Hamas. Zamir stated that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) would “operate in additional areas and destroy all infrastructures above and under the ground.”
According to reports, negotiations have been at an impasse for over a month. Indeed, Israeli media reports indicate that Qatar was instrumental in pressuring Hamas to turn down an Egyptian offer for a ceasefire agreement. As a result, any endeavor to negotiate hostage releases has become exponentially more difficult. As military escalation continues, those families are becoming more concerned about the threats their loved ones face.
“The vast majority of the Israeli public views the return of the hostages as the nation’s highest moral priority.” – Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters
The Coalition of Hostages and Missing Families Forum sounded a sharp alarm. They warned that further intensification of hostilities would endanger the survival of living hostages and the fate of deceased ones. In the process, they made the case for diplomacy—not military might—as the best means of securing their loved ones’ release.
Netanyahu and his ministers have repeatedly insisted that Israel is fighting “a just war with just means” in Gaza. He also doubled down on his plans to escalate the military campaign. He commented, “We’re raising the stakes to get our people returned and ensure Hamas is defeated. Still, this position seems to represent Israel’s overall insistence on pressing forward with its offensive and wrestling with the details of hostage negotiations.
