Bomb-ruptured buildings line the streets like shipwrecks, and paved roads have been turned into gravel. Gaza City, previously vibrant with street food and busy traffic, now lies almost entirely in dust and decay.
On Friday, an Israeli military-organized visit for international media focused on Israel’s efforts to dismantle what it claims is Hamas’ bomb-making operations, intelligence infrastructure, and tunnel networks. However, Hamas announced later that it has accepted much of a peace plan proposed by former US President Donald Trump and is moving toward the release of remaining hostages, which presents a conundrum for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In response to ongoing international condemnation, Israel began to temper its military offensive in Gaza City after Trump urged it to halt bombings for the sake of hostage release. The Israeli military stated it has shifted to a more defensive posture, although the objective of completely eradicating Hamas is still not fulfilled.
For Netanyahu, a potential deal could not only mean the end of the war on terms not dictated by him, but it could also destabilize his political coalition, particularly as far-right members prioritize the defeat of Hamas over the release of the remaining hostages—20 individuals confirmed alive and 28 deceased.
“This situation places Netanyahu in a significant political bind. But what options does he have?” questioned Yossi Shain, a political scientist at Tel Aviv University. He speculated that Netanyahu might pull far-right cabinet members aside and implore them to prioritize the hostage release first, hoping to negotiate a more favorable outcome afterward.
Trump has identified the release of hostages as crucial to resolving the conflict that erupted when Hamas operatives attacked Israel two years ago, resulting in 1,200 Israeli deaths and 250 abductions. In response, more than 65,000 lives have been lost in Gaza due to the subsequent conflict, which some UN-backed organizations have labeled as a genocide and others have reported has led to famine in various regions of the enclave.
Israel has denied these famine and genocide claims but has restricted journalists’ access, permitting only brief embeddings that complicate independent verification of events. As a result, global sentiment has increasingly turned against Israel’s military actions.
Despite rising international backlash, Netanyahu has maintained a defiant stance and has faced a growing coalition of Western allies recognizing Palestinian statehood.
He has expressed urgency regarding the hostages but has insisted that Hamas must disarm and be deprived of any future in Gaza. If a hostage release is negotiated—potentially in exchange for up to 2,000 Palestinian prisoners—it could initiate a process enabling Hamas to retain some role in Palestinian politics, especially considering an upcoming meeting of Palestinian factions that will include the group.
Many global leaders and members of the Israeli security establishment contend that Hamas has been weakened significantly over two years of conflict, making it less of a threat. The Israeli military acknowledges Hamas’s substantial diminishment; however, a senior officer briefing journalists highlighted the recent discovery of a rocket factory at an evacuated hospital, signaling the ongoing challenge of completely dismantling Hamas’s infrastructure.
Netanyahu’s government green-lit the Gaza City advance in August under a strategy described by Israeli planners as a “conquer and crush” campaign, eliciting widespread global outrage.
While Trump has shown support for Israel, he has recently expressed impatience, urging both sides to reach a resolution. He is also vying for a Nobel Peace Prize, whose recipients will be announced this week.
Last Monday, Netanyahu agreed to a 20-point peace plan from Trump, which Hamas now indicates it accepts in part but seeks further negotiations on specific issues, including disarmament and Israel’s continued control over a perimeter buffer zone.
A hostage release would be welcomed across Israel’s political spectrum, though many would resist keeping Hamas intact with any weaponry or governance role. Polls suggest that Israelis are increasingly willing to accept any deal that secures the freedom of those abducted on October 7, 2023.
“It’s very difficult to sustain combat for two years,” remarked the senior officer. “Hamas continues to operate as an organized entity. They monitor our movements and seek our vulnerabilities. Sometimes, they surrender during close encounters, but often they continue to resist.”
