Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel would complete its military objectives in Gaza and force out at least 50% of the population.

On Tuesday, Netanyahu said even if Israel agrees to a temporary pause for the release of hostages, it will resume its military operations in Gaza. “We in the coming days will be entering with all our strength to complete the process… to subdue Hamas,” he said, adding that “it could be that Hamas will say ‘pause, we want to release another 10 hostages.’ Ok, release them. We will receive them and after that enter. But there will not be a situation where we stop the war.”

Hamas has long sought a deal with Tel Aviv to release the hostages in exchange for a permanent end to the conflict. Israel has repeatedly rejected this proposal and often sabotaged diplomatic efforts to stop the fighting and free the Israeli captives.

Last week, Haaretz reported that freeing the captives was the least important Israeli military objective in Gaza. Removing the Palestinians from the Strip was listed as a higher priority.

Poster Comment:

Israeli Cabinet Approves De Facto Annexation of Large Portion of West Bank

The Israeli Security Cabinet approved a resolution that will give Tel Aviv full control over Area C of the West Bank. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich touted the decision as a “de facto” annexation of over half of the West Bank.

https://news.antiwar.com/2025/05/13/israeli-cabinet-approves-de-facto- annexation-of-large-portion-of-west-bank/