Accelerating the Gaza Offensive: Demanding Release of All Hostages
Push for Gaza City Control and Israeli Settlements Simultaneously
"Two-State Solution" for Palestinian Recognition Fades Away
Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, is reportedly using the "Gaza City military operation" as leverage to pressure the armed faction Hamas to release all hostages, as he tightens the reins on the Gaza offensive.
On August 21 (local time), Prime Minister Netanyahu released a video statement announcing, "I have instructed that immediate negotiations begin to end the war, under conditions acceptable to Israel, once all hostages are released." He continued, "We have now reached a decision-making stage," and added, "I highly appreciate that the military is prepared for this crucial objective." He also emphasized, "Defeating Hamas and bringing all hostages home are closely linked goals."
On this day, Prime Minister Netanyahu visited the Gaza Strip to approve the Israeli military's plan to take control of Gaza City and defeat Hamas. The previous day, the Israeli military announced that, following Defense Minister Israel Katz's approval of the second phase of the 'Chariots of Gideon' operation-Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi's plan to seize Gaza City-preliminary operations had begun in the northern Gaza Strip.
Previously, Hamas had accepted the 'phased ceasefire' proposal put forward by mediators such as Egypt and Qatar. The core of this proposal is to release 10 of the 20 surviving Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip during a 60-day cessation of hostilities. In contrast, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and others have maintained that there will be no ceasefire agreement unless all hostages are returned at once. Minister Smotrich is a member of the Israeli cabinet's "far-right hardliners" who support the "expansion of operations in Gaza."
The Civil Administration Higher Planning Committee, under the Ministry of Defense and led by Minister Smotrich, also approved on August 20 a plan to build settlements in the West Bank's E1 area, including about 3,400 housing units. The committee also approved a plan to construct 342 units in the Asahael settlement. Minister Smotrich asserted, "This is a significant step that effectively erases the delusion of 'two states' and solidifies Jewish control over the heart of the land of Israel." This move has been evaluated as undermining the push for "recognition of a Palestinian state," which has long been considered the top diplomatic solution.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu is accelerating the Gaza offensive by calling up an additional 60,000 reservists. He also plans to extend the service period for 20,000 reservists already deployed on various fronts. While Israel's security cabinet initially expected the occupation of Gaza City to take more than five months, CNN reported that the military is now under extreme pressure as Prime Minister Netanyahu has ordered the operation period to be shortened.
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