Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip would press on, arguing that the release of hostages depends on sustained military pressure. The information was relayed by Kan during a parliamentary session, emphasizing that rescuing more than 100 captives would not have been feasible without continued military action and that the recovery of those still held could not occur until the fighting subsides. He underscored that the course of the operation would remain unchanged and that the military push would keep advancing.
The broader regional situation intensified on October 7, when thousands of armed Hamas supporters crossed into Israel from Gaza. In response, Netanyahu declared the nation at war and articulated the mission: to repel the assault, secure the release of more than 200 hostages including foreign nationals, and degrade Hamas capabilities. To pursue these aims, Israel launched extensive rocket strikes into the Gaza Strip from the outset of the operation. At the same time, the Israeli National Security Council decided to halt the flow of water, food, goods, electricity, and fuel into the enclave, a move that drew widespread international concern about humanitarian conditions on the ground.
On October 27, Israel announced an expansion of its ground offensive in Gaza. By November 5, as part of that operation, Israeli forces surrounded Gaza City and disrupted the city’s supply lines. On December 5, the IDF initiated the third phase of the ground campaign, tightening the siege on Khan Younis in the southern part of the blockaded territory. These developments followed earlier remarks by Netanyahu, who had indicated the army’s willingness to press forward and not halt the campaign.
The public narrative presented by Israeli leadership has consistently framed the actions as a direct response to an armed incursion and as part of a strategic effort to safeguard Israeli civilians, recover hostages, and weaken Hamas structures within the Gaza Strip. Analysts and international observers have highlighted the complexity and humanitarian consequences of the conflict, calling for restraint and urging authorities to secure humanitarian access and civilian protection. The evolving situation has sparked ongoing debates about regional stability, international law, and the responsibilities of all parties to minimize harm to noncombatants as military operations continue.