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Netanyahu's Gaza War Position
Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly vowed to keep Israel’s assault going until Hamas is disarmed and Gaza is demilitarized.
“Netanyahu stated the war will conclude after a second ceasefire phase focused on disarming Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza, potentially by force, and announced his intention to seek another term as Israel’s longest-serving leader.”
He ties any end of operations to a second phase of the current ceasefire framework and simultaneously signals a new election bid.
Multiple outlets report him insisting the war will only end after disarmament, including by force if necessary.
These statements were issued even as a UN commission accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s stance sits alongside Israel’s hard conditions on other issues, such as conditioning border openings and body returns on Hamas’ compliance.
Critics say these conditions extend the suffering of Gaza’s civilian population, which is already devastated by mass killing and famine.
Civilian Deaths During Ceasefire
Israeli forces have continued killing Palestinian civilians during the ceasefire period.
Multiple outlets report Israel’s military killed nine people in Gaza City and 11 more civilians, including women and children, in separate attacks.
Other reports document Israeli tank fire that killed members of the Shaaban family and at least 38 Palestinians killed since the truce took effect.
These reports describe Israel striking buses, cars, and residential areas under the claim of ‘warnings’ or ‘threats.’
Hamas and rights groups denounce these actions as ceasefire violations.
The pattern is consistent with allegations of systematic killing.
The UN commission has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza.
The death toll continues to rise amid so-called ‘pauses’ that have not stopped Israel from killing civilians.
Israel-Hamas Border and Body Exchanges
Netanyahu’s policy also weaponizes border control.
“Israel has kept the Rafah border crossing with Egypt closed since May 2024, linking its reopening to the return of more remains, a move condemned by Hamas.”
Israel keeps the Rafah crossing closed and conditions its reopening on Hamas returning the remains of Israeli hostages.
At the same time, Israel withholds aid access through the crossing.
Reports vary on how many bodies Hamas has returned, with figures ranging from 10 to 12 out of 28.
Multiple sources agree that Israel has used the Rafah crossing as leverage even amid famine conditions.
Israel and Hamas have also conducted body exchanges, with Israel returning 135 Palestinian bodies.
Israel demands faster returns of Israeli bodies in exchange.
This situation turns humanitarian passage and burial rites into bargaining chips during the ceasefire.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Gaza’s humanitarian collapse highlights why a UN commission described Israel’s actions as genocide.
Multiple sources report that at least 68,000 Palestinians have died.
UN-verified deaths from famine and malnutrition exceed 400, including more than 100 children.
These deaths occur alongside Israeli restrictions that keep crossings closed and severely limit aid.
Israel asserts it permits sufficient food and accuses Hamas of diverting aid, but the UN and aid organizations reject this claim.
These facts indicate that Gaza’s civilians are being starved and killed while Israel conditions relief on political demands.
This pattern aligns with the genocide accusation reported by the BBC.
International Reactions to Conflict
International responses deepen the pressure while exposing divisions.
“The International Criminal Court rejected Israel’s appeal against arrest warrants for Israeli leaders over alleged war crimes, leading to US and Israeli criticism and sanctions.”
LaSexta reports the ICC rejected Israel’s appeal against arrest warrants for Israeli leaders over alleged war crimes, triggering U.S. and Israeli pushback and sanctions.
L’Express says President Joe Biden sanctioned senior ICC officials.
Washington has also warned Hamas it may attack Palestinian civilians.
CBS and NBC report U.S. warnings and former President Trump’s threats that military action would resume.
Officials also say no U.S. troops will enter Gaza.
The Guardian highlights Israeli troops killing 11 Palestinians even under truce.
Hamas says it remains committed to ceasefire terms.
The legal scrutiny, U.S. threats, and continued Israeli killing of Palestinians underscore how Netanyahu’s vow to press on—until disarmament and demilitarization—translates into more Palestinian casualties, more starvation, and a deepening genocide allegation on the international stage.