Netanyahu Pushes Disarmament of Hamas Amid Escalating Gaza Conflict

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his demand for Hamas to disarm and for its leaders to leave Gaza, vowing to intensify military pressure while pursuing negotiations to free remaining hostages. He confirmed that Israel supports the implementation of U.S. President Donald Trump’s "voluntary emigration plan," which envisions relocating Gazans to other countries—a proposal no nation has accepted so far.

Netanyahu denied claims that Israel isn’t engaging in negotiations, stating, “We are conducting it under fire,” and suggested that pressure on Hamas is showing results. His comments followed reports that Hamas had accepted a ceasefire proposal via Egypt and Qatar, which included releasing five Israeli hostages weekly. However, Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya labeled disarmament a "red line."

Violence continues to surge as Israel resumes its offensive, launched after Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack that killed around 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages. Since March 18, Israeli strikes have killed hundreds of Palestinians, with Gaza’s health authorities reporting over 50,000 deaths since the war began. On Sunday, at least 24 people, including children, died in airstrikes, coinciding with the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said it recovered 13 bodies in Rafah, including UN and emergency workers, a week after coming under Israeli fire during a rescue attempt. Israel has not commented.

Despite internal protests and growing pressure from hostage families, Netanyahu insists that military action is the only effective strategy. He reiterated that Hamas’s military and governance structures must be dismantled, and Israeli forces will maintain a presence in Gaza until that goal is met.

As the humanitarian crisis deepens, hundreds of thousands remain displaced, sheltering in makeshift tents amid ongoing bombardments.