Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to intensify pressure on Hamas in Gaza, rejecting the ceasefire proposal recently accepted by the militant group. Netanyahu insists that any ceasefire must include the disarmament of Hamas and the departure of its leaders from Gaza, conditions that Hamas has firmly rejected.

The ceasefire proposal, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, included a plan for the release of five Israeli hostages per week. However, Hamas has refused to disarm, calling it a "red line" that cannot be crossed.

Netanyahu also expressed his intentions to implement a voluntary emigration plan for Gaza residents, a move that has sparked controversy. The details of this plan remain unclear, but it reportedly aims to relocate residents to other countries.

The conflict has intensified following the breakdown of a temporary truce, with Israeli bombardments and ground operations continuing in Gaza. Palestinian health officials report that more than 50,000 people have been killed since the start of Israel’s offensive, which began after a Hamas attack in October 2023 that left 1,200 Israelis dead and resulted in 251 hostages being taken.

Palestinians in Gaza are facing dire humanitarian conditions, with food shortages worsening as they observed Eid al-Fitr under difficult circumstances. Many marked the occasion in mourning amid the destruction caused by ongoing airstrikes.

In Israel, public opinion is divided. While Netanyahu remains committed to his military strategy, large protests have erupted, with tens of thousands calling for a hostage deal and an end to the war. A recent poll indicates that 69% of Israelis support ending the conflict if it means securing the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza.

International mediators continue efforts to broker a ceasefire, but the significant gap between Israeli demands and Hamas’s stance remains a major obstacle to achieving a lasting peace.