Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant revealed that the conditions for reaching an agreement with Palestinian factions are favourable, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is complicating the process to avoid losing support from coalition members.
Gallant stated, “If an agreement is not signed in the next two weeks, the fate of the hostages will be sealed.” Meanwhile, Mossad Chief David Barnea, Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, and Israeli Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi noted that Netanyahu’s new conditions make it difficult for Israel to reach agreements.
Internal pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu is mounting, with demands for new elections and approval of a ceasefire agreement with the factions to secure the release of remaining hostages in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s office issued a list of non-negotiable demands, including that “any agreement must allow Israel to resume fighting until all war objectives are achieved.” These demands also include preventing the return of thousands of militants to northern Gaza.
Amid these developments, Israel intensified its artillery bombardment and deadly airstrikes on Gaza, with Prime Minister Netanyahu announcing plans to increase military pressure on Palestinian factions.
Diplomatic efforts by Egyptian and Qatari mediators, supported by the United States, to halt the fighting appear to be stalled.
However, officials from all parties, including Israel and the factions, expressed openness to further talks.
In Rafah, Israeli tanks conducted raids in the northern part of the city before withdrawing. This tactic, used previously in other areas, often precedes deeper incursions.
Since May, tanks have operated in most parts of Rafah but have not yet penetrated deeply into the northern neighborhoods.
Medical sources in Gaza reported that shelling in central Gaza killed at least nine Palestinians, with 81 Palestinians killed and 198 wounded in Israeli strikes over the past 24 hours.
The Civil Defense reported at least 57 deaths and dozens of injuries from five strikes targeting a UN-run school housing displaced persons and a camp in Nuseirat in central Gaza.
Most residents of Gaza have been displaced multiple times since the war began, with the UN stating there is no “safe place” in Gaza, as even schools, clinics, and hospitals have not been spared from the bombing.
The Israeli army announced it conducted 25 airstrikes within 24 hours in Gaza, targeting military infrastructure, particularly in Rafah and a site in northern Gaza from where rockets were fired at Sderot in southern Israel.
Netanyahu stated his intention to tighten the noose on the factions, targeting their senior leaders and fighters.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Red Crescent reported that Israel released 13 Palestinians who had been detained during its military operation in Gaza. They were transferred to a hospital in central Gaza for treatment.
