Netanyahu Pushes for Military Victory as Hostage Crisis Deepens, Cabinet Divided on Expanding Gaza War

by Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff

(Worthy News) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing for a decisive military victory to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, according to a diplomatic source quoted Sunday in Hebrew media. The remarks come amid growing public pressure and internal government debate over whether to expand military operations in Gaza, even at the potential cost of endangering the remaining captives.

“An understanding is forming that Hamas is not interested in a deal,” the source said, citing the terror group’s continued refusal to negotiate. Netanyahu is now advocating a strategy that combines intensified military operations with targeted humanitarian aid deliveries to areas outside Hamas control, though the practical mechanics of this plan remain vague.

The remarks follow a wave of national outrage after Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad released disturbing footage of hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski–both visibly malnourished and held in underground tunnels. David is seen digging what he fears is his own grave. The images, cleared for publication by the hostages’ families, have underscored the desperate conditions of those still held captive since the October 7 massacre.

In a video address Sunday night, Netanyahu condemned the footage and reaffirmed his resolve to destroy Hamas. “These horrifying videos are meant to break us,” he said. “They won’t. I am filled with even greater determination to free our captive sons, to eliminate Hamas, and to ensure that Gaza will never again pose a threat to Israel.”

However, his comments drew fierce criticism from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which accused Netanyahu of leading Israel and the hostages “to the abyss.” The group labeled his talk of victory-driven rescue efforts “the greatest scam,” arguing that continued warfare endangers the captives’ lives and reflects a failed strategy. “Expanding the war is a guarantee of the failure of the century,” the group said.

According to Channel 12, a decision on whether to broaden the war effort is expected this week. The government remains deeply divided: hardline ministers such as Itamar Ben Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer support escalation, while security officials including IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Mossad Chief David Barnea, and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar oppose it. The military reportedly prefers encircling Hamas-controlled zones to pressure a surrender, while some ministers advocate reoccupying the entire Strip.

The Trump administration has signaled its opposition to partial hostage deals that pause the fighting without a complete resolution. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff emphasized Washington’s aim to end the war entirely, further complicating Israel’s military calculus.

Netanyahu is scheduled to convene the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet on Tuesday to decide on the next phase. Sources told Israel Hayom that the impasse is straining relations between Israel’s political and military leadership. Hamas, according to intelligence reports, is refusing any agreement that would result in its disarmament or surrender, emboldened by perceived international sympathy stemming from Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.

A senior diplomatic source blamed the group’s intransigence on increasing Iranian influence and the success of its starvation campaign, which has drawn condemnation of Israel but not of Hamas’ actions. Netanyahu has sought to reframe the narrative, arguing that the real famine victims are the hostages.

During a meeting with Julian Larsson, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross delegation in Israel and the Palestinian territories, Netanyahu demanded immediate medical and food access to the captives. “The world cannot remain silent in the face of images that echo the atrocities of the Nazis,” he said. “Hamas is starving these young men while its own commanders sit well-fed. This is a violation of every standard of international law.”

Adding to the controversy is a proposal by National Security Minister Ben Gvir to encourage the voluntary emigration of Palestinians from Gaza–a plan that has stalled due to the absence of any willing host country.

As the war nears a turning point, the fate of at least 20 hostages believed to be alive–and the bodies of 28 more–hangs in the balance. Hamas and other terror factions have given no sign of compromise, while pressure mounts on Israel’s government to choose between more negotiations or an all-out offensive.

“We’ve reached a critical point,” said a senior diplomatic source. “The time for half-measures is running out.”

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