Israel has called on Hamas to release the remaining hostages that were captured during the deadly attack on Oct. 7, 2023. At the time of writing, 48 people are still being held captive.
The international community has criticized Israel’s military operations, but Netanyahu said in a briefing that he hasn’t sought approval from his allies, including the U.S., to assure the continued existence of the state of Israel and return the hostages.
After the October 2023 attack, about 250 people were captured, but dozens have since been released during two brief ceasefires, and a few others were rescued in military operations.
However, divisions in Israel have deepened as negotiations for a truce and hostage release have seemingly fizzled out. The government has also been clear that any deal would be made on the condition that Hamas is fully eliminated.
Meanwhile, Hamas said it would only free hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a lasting ceasefire, and a withdrawal of troops from the Strip.
DON’T MISS…
According to Israel, Gaza City is one of Hamas‘s last strongholds in the territory. The military said it is advancing cautiously to try to avoid Palestinian civilians who haven’t fled to hostages who might be held in the city.
However, these assurances have done little to convince the international community. The United Nations’ Human Rights Council commissioned a 72-page report on Tuesday, concluding that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
“It is clear that there is an intent to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza through acts that meet the criteria set forth in the Genocide Convention,” said Commissioner Navi Pillay in a statement.
The report found that Israeli forces “committed four of the five genocidal acts defined by the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.”
Israeli officials said the report was “distorted and false,” calling for the Commission of Inquiry to be abolished.