Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is willing to endanger the lives of the 20 living Israeli captives in Gaza to achieve full military control over the Strip.
The Times of Israel reports that Netanyahu met with “senior security officials on Tuesday to hammer out Gaza war plans, and reportedly came out in favor of the military taking control of the entire enclave, even if it meant that the remaining hostages could be harmed or executed by Hamas.”
Palestinian groups still hold 50 Israeli captives who were taken on October 7. Twenty are still believed to be alive. Last week, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas released videos of two Israeli captives who appear extremely malnourished.
A Hamas official told Saudi media that Netanyahu’s escalation will endanger the remaining living hostages. “Any attempt to invade the Strip will expose the lives of Israeli prisoners held by Hamas to unprecedented danger,” he said.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir opposes Netanyahu’s proposal. A report in Ynet on Monday explained that the Prime Minister’s inner circle had decided on escalation, and if Zamir opposed the policy, he could resign.
The official said, “The die is cast, we are going for a full occupation of the Gaza Strip.” The statement. They added that “there will be activity also in areas where hostages are being held. If this doesn’t suit the IDF Chief of Staff, he can resign.”
Tuesday’s meeting was attended by Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, and IDF Operations Directorate head Maj. Gen. Itzik Cohen.
Following the meeting, the Prime Minister’s Office released a statement saying, “The IDF is prepared to implement any decision made by the security cabinet.”
