Israel's Netanyahu says military to increase pressure on Hamas. - Reuters

Israel's Netanyahu says military to increase pressure on Hamas. - Reuters

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to intensify military operations against Hamas, stating that the military will continue to exert pressure until all war objectives are achieved. This announcement comes amidst ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran, where Netanyahu has reaffirmed his commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons [1].

Netanyahu's latest statement underscores his resolve against Hamas' demands, which include a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the reconstruction of the coastal enclave. He has accused Hamas of making demands that would allow it to regroup militarily, arguing that surrendering to these demands would negate Israel's military gains [1].

The Israeli military has been conducting operations in Gaza for over 18 months, with the death toll reported to have surpassed 51,000 casualties. Despite mounting international criticism, Netanyahu praised the Israeli military's efforts, stating that they have done "a remarkable job" and that Hamas will continue to "absorb more and more blows" [2].

In addition to the ongoing operations in Gaza, the Israeli military has also maintained a presence in Lebanon and Syria, with Defense Minister Israel Katz stating that Israeli troops will remain in these areas indefinitely [3]. Katz also emphasized that no humanitarian aid will be allowed into Gaza, describing it as a key pressure tool to stop Hamas from using aid against the population.

Netanyahu's stance has drawn criticism from some Israeli voices calling for an end to the fighting, which he has accused of echoing Hamas propaganda and delaying the release of hostages. He has pledged to continue the mission to bring the hostages home without surrendering to Hamas' demands [1].

References:

[1] https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sjddhpzjxx
[2] https://munsifdaily.com/netanyahu-visits-gaza-vows-to-intensify-military/
[3] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/16/israel-says-its-troops-will-remain-in-gaza-lebanon-and-syria-indefinitely