Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday claimed that he would relaunch cease-fire and hostage talks while simultaneously greenlighting the occupation of Gaza City, a move seen as escalating the genocide against Palestinians.
The announcement appeared contradictory, coming days after Hamas accepted an Egyptian-Qatari proposal to free roughly half the hostages in exchange for a 60-day cease-fire and talks toward a permanent truce - terms at odds with Israel’s stated goal of occupying Gaza City.
"I came to approve the army’s plans to take control of Gaza City and decide the battle against Hamas,” Netanyahu said in statements carried by Israeli Channel 12 during a visit to the military’s Gaza Division.
"At the same time, I instructed immediate negotiations for the release of all our hostages and to end the war under conditions acceptable to Israel.”
Israel estimates Hamas is holding around 50 hostages, including 20 believed to be alive. More than 10,800 Palestinians are imprisoned in Israel, amid rights groups’ accusations of torture and medical neglect.
