Netanyahu Vows to Finish Hamas Fight Amid Gaza Crisis
A renewed military push in Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to “complete the job” against Hamas, even as the Gaza death toll continues to rise.
Speaking in Jerusalem on Sunday, Netanyahu defended his decision to launch a new offensive targeting Hamas’ last two strongholds.
He stressed that Israel’s goal is not to occupy Gaza, but to free it from Hamas’ control. According to him, the strategy involves demilitarizing Gaza, maintaining Israeli security oversight, and placing governance in the hands of a non-Israeli civilian administration.
“Our goal is not to occupy Gaza, our goal is to free Gaza,” Netanyahu said.
Mounting international criticism
The announcement comes amid growing global pressure on Israel over its war strategy. Critics accuse Israel of worsening the humanitarian crisis, but Netanyahu dismissed this as part of a “global campaign of lies.”
He also ordered the Israeli military to allow more foreign journalists into Gaza — a shift from previous strict media restrictions.
Netanyahu placed the blame for Gaza’s suffering squarely on Hamas, accusing the group of using civilians as shields and refusing to lay down arms.
Aid-seeking Palestinians killed
As Netanyahu spoke, tragic news emerged from Gaza hospitals.
At least 26 Palestinians were killed while attempting to collect food and humanitarian aid.
Reports from Nasser Hospital indicated that ten people died near the Morag corridor between Rafah and Khan Younis.
In the north, six more were killed near the Zikim crossing, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Witnesses in central Gaza said crowds at a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation site came under fire after warning shots were fired into the air. Four people died in the incident. The Israeli military denied involvement, while GHF attributed the deaths to looting attempts near aid convoys.
Hospitals also reported seven more Palestinians killed in separate airstrikes, including two children.
Famine and malnutrition deaths on the rise
The humanitarian crisis is deepening.
Gaza’s health officials reported two additional child deaths from malnutrition on Saturday, bringing the toll to 100 children since the conflict began.
Since late June, 117 adults have died from similar causes. The Hamas-run Health Ministry says the overall war death toll now stands at 61,400, with about half being women and children.
International agencies have warned that famine conditions could spread rapidly if aid access remains restricted.
Hostage families demand action
Inside Israel, Netanyahu’s military plans have triggered public anger.
Tens of thousands protested in Tel Aviv on Saturday night, led by families of hostages still held in Gaza.
Of the 251 people kidnapped in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, around 50 remain in Gaza. Twenty are believed to be alive.
Families fear that expanded fighting could put their loved ones in greater danger.
Lishay Miran-Lavi, whose husband Omri is among the captives, appealed directly to U.S. President Donald Trump and envoy Steve Witkoff to step in.
“The decision to send the army deeper into Gaza is a danger to my husband. But we can still stop this disaster,” she said.
Global stakes and next steps
Analysts say Netanyahu’s timetable for the next offensive is short.
Military sources believe the final push could reshape Gaza’s political and humanitarian future.
However, aid groups warn that any escalation without comprehensive humanitarian corridors will worsen famine, displacement, and civilian casualties.
The United Nations and other international bodies have urged restraint and immediate negotiations to secure hostage releases and humanitarian access.