Despite ongoing protests in various cities across Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not prioritized the return of over 100 hostages held in Gaza, a move favored by a majority of Israelis. The protests, particularly in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square, have been a regular occurrence.
Netanyahu has outlined three main goals in the conflict with Hamas, with a key focus now on the Philadelphi Corridor, a strategic strip of land between Gaza and Egypt. He is adamant about maintaining Israeli troops in this area to prevent weapons-smuggling to Hamas, leading to tensions with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The families of the hostages have expressed frustration and anger over the handling of the situation. The recent discovery of bodies shortly before Israeli troops arrived, as well as reports of some hostages being part of a potential ceasefire deal, have left them devastated.
Despite optimistic statements from US President Joe Biden and others, a ceasefire agreement regarding the hostages remains elusive. Netanyahu faces pressure from his far-right coalition partners, who have threatened to destabilize the government if a deal is made.
After months of negotiations, there is a growing belief that Netanyahu may not be actively pursuing a resolution. On the other side, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, linked to recent attacks, seems to be escalating tensions, potentially pushing the region closer to a full-scale conflict.
