Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he is prepared to give final approval for a wide-scale operation to retake Gaza City while simultaneously resuming negotiations with Hamas for the release of hostages and an end to the war on Israel’s terms. The decision could be made within days, following a meeting with senior security officials. The Israeli military has already begun urging medical and humanitarian organizations in northern Gaza to evacuate ahead of the planned offensive, which will also involve calling up 60,000 reservists and extending the service of 20,000 more, reports 9Ne

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he is prepared to give final approval for a wide-scale operation to retake Gaza City while simultaneously resuming negotiations with Hamas for the release of hostages and an end to the war on Israel’s terms. The decision could be made within days, following a meeting with senior security officials. The Israeli military has already begun urging medical and humanitarian organizations in northern Gaza to evacuate ahead of the planned offensive, which will also involve calling up 60,000 reservists and extending the service of 20,000 more, reports

9News

. Hamas earlier this week announced its acceptance of a ceasefire proposal from Arab mediators, raising the possibility of forestalling Israel’s offensive if the deal is accepted. However, Israeli strikes on Thursday killed at least 36 Palestinians, according to local hospitals, underscoring the war’s continuing toll.

Netanyahu: “Defeating Hamas and releasing hostages go hand in hand”

During a visit to Israel’s Gaza command, Netanyahu confirmed he would authorize the army’s plans for Gaza City. He said he had instructed officials “to begin immediate negotiations on the release of all our hostages and an end to the war on terms acceptable to Israel.” The comments marked Israel’s first public response to the ceasefire proposal drafted by Egypt and Qatar, which Egyptian and Hamas officials say is nearly identical to an earlier deal Israel had accepted before talks collapsed. The plan would involve hostage releases in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a phased Israeli pullback, and negotiations over a longer-term truce. Israeli forces have already launched limited operations in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood and the Jabaliya refugee camp, areas previously targeted where militants later regrouped. The military says the next stage will focus on areas not yet entered and where Hamas retains significant capabilities. Despite looming threats of escalation, residents have not fled en masse as in earlier offensives. Israel claims to control around 75 percent of Gaza, but Palestinians say no place in the territory feels safe.

Civilian protests in Gaza

Hundreds of Palestinians staged a rare protest in Gaza City on Thursday, demanding an end to the war and rejecting any forced relocation abroad. Women and children carried signs reading “Save Gaza” and “Stop the war, stop the savage attack, save us” against a backdrop of rubble. “We want the war on Gaza to stop. We don’t want to migrate. Twenty-two months … it’s enough. Enough death. Enough destruction,” said Bisan Ghazal, a woman displaced from Gaza City.

Families of hostages rally in Israel

In Tel Aviv, families of some of the estimated 50 hostages still held in Gaza gathered to denounce the planned operation. Israel believes around 20 hostages remain alive. “Forty-two hostages were kidnapped alive and murdered in captivity due to military pressure and delay in signing a deal,” said Dalia Cusnir, whose brother-in-law, Eitan Horn, remains captive. “Enough to sacrifice the hostages. Enough to sacrifice the soldiers, both regular and reservists. Enough to sacrifice the evacuees. Enough to sacrifice the younger generation in the country,” added Bar Goddard, whose father’s body is being held by Hamas. More demonstrations are planned in Tel Aviv on Thursday night.  

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