Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday he has approved the IDF’s takeover plans for Gaza City, restarting hostage negotiations, and ending the war on Israel’s terms.
“We are at a decisive stage,” he said while visiting the Gaza Division. “I arrived today at the Gaza Division to approve the plans presented by the IDF to me and the defense minister for the takeover of Gaza City and the defeat of Hamas.”
Netanyahu said he had directed “the immediate initiation of negotiations” for the release of all the hostages and ending the war in Gaza on Israel’s terms. At this time, no Israeli delegation will leave for Doha or Qatar, he added.
Netanyahu said he greatly appreciated the mobilization of reservists and regular forces.
“These two objectives – defeating Hamas and securing the release of all our hostages – go hand in hand,” he said.
Netanyahu was impressed with the plans presented to him at the Gaza Division, a political source told The Jerusalem Post.
“The plans are solid,” the source said.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir and senior defense officials on Thursday presented plans for the capture of Gaza City to Defense Minister Israel Katz and Netanyahu. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also took part in the discussion.
Zamir: War goals include releasing hostages, defeating Hamas
Zamir spoke to the Kfir Brigade and Armored Corps units in Khan Yunis ahead of the security cabinet’s meeting to discuss the upcoming Gaza City operation.
“We are advancing with efforts for the operation in Gaza City,” he said. “Even now, we already have forces operating on the outskirts of the city, and additional forces will join them later.”
“Our missions remain the release of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas,” he added. “We will not rest, and we will not stop until we achieve them. Accomplishing these goals is essential for our future and our values as a society.”
Zamir conducted the debriefing at the site where Hamas terrorists ambushed soldiers on Wednesday. He expressed his appreciation for the soldiers who fought and killed most of the terrorists.
He also instructed the commanders to continue investigating the incident and drawing lessons from the event.
“We have delivered a severe blow to Hamas,” Zamir said. “From the terrorist army we experienced [during the] October 7 [massacre], it has become a guerrilla organization. We will continue to strike Hamas everywhere [and] pursue them as long as needed and wherever needed.”
Katz: Opening the gates of hell
"Soon, the gates of hell will open upon the heads of Hamas's murderers and rapists in Gaza - until they agree to Israel's conditions for ending the war, primarily the release of all hostages and their disarmament," Defense Minister Israel Katz wrote on X/Twitter.
"If they do not agree - Gaza, the capital of Hamas, will become Rafah and Beit Hanoun. Exactly as I promised - so it shall be."