Netanyahu vows to defeat Hamas amid hostage, aid crisis

Post by : Jyoti Singh

Photo: Reuters

Netanyahu Vows to Defeat Hamas in Gaza Amid Hostage Crisis and Rising Famine Warnings August 5, 2025 — Gaza, Jerusalem, and New York: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel must fully defeat Hamas in Gaza if it wants to bring home the remaining hostages and remove threats to Israeli safety. This announcement comes just before a key government meeting expected to decide the next steps in the nearly two-year-long war in Gaza.

Netanyahu made these remarks during a visit to an Israeli army training camp on Tuesday. He said that finishing the battle against Hamas is necessary to free all captives and make sure Gaza is no longer a danger to Israel.

At the same time, shocking videos of hostages looking weak and starving have spread across Israeli media, causing outrage among the public. Many people in Israel are now calling for action to rescue the remaining captives. These videos have also drawn attention from global leaders and organisations, especially the United Nations, warning of an unfolding famine in Gaza.

Cabinet to Discuss War Plans

Netanyahu’s office said he spent three hours discussing military matters with Army Chief Eyal Zamir. However, no new war plans have been made public yet. The Security Cabinet is expected to meet later this week to decide on new orders.

Some Israeli news channels have reported that Netanyahu may be planning to expand military operations into parts of Gaza where more hostages could be held. Public broadcaster Kan said he has already made that decision, while other news outlets like Channel 12 said it could be a strategy to put pressure on Hamas during talks.

International and Palestinian Reactions

The idea of expanding the war has led to angry reactions from both the Palestinian Authority and the Hamas-run government in Gaza. A senior Hamas official, Hossam Badran, said such a move would not change their position in the talks. He repeated Hamas’s demand that Israel must fully pull out of Gaza before any agreement is made.

The ball is in the hands of Israel and the Americans, Badran told the news agency AFP. He added that Hamas wants to end both the war and the growing hunger crisis.

Meanwhile, the United Nations warned that widening the war could be extremely dangerous. Miroslav Jenca, a senior UN official, told the Security Council that expanding the battle could cause catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians and also put the lives of hostages at greater risk.

US Reaction to Hostage Videos

In the United States, President Donald Trump responded with strong words to the newly released hostage videos. One disturbing video showed a starving Israeli captive being forced to dig what looked like his own grave. I hope a lot of people see it, as terrible as it is Trump said, calling it a horrifying image.

Trump’s reaction adds more international attention to the issue, especially as the U.S. remains deeply involved in the conflict through both political and humanitarian efforts.

War Background and Current Toll

This war started nearly 22 months ago after a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023. During that attack, Hamas fighters killed 1,219 people most of whom were civilians, and took 251 hostages back to Gaza. Since then, Israel has launched a full-scale offensive against Hamas.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 61,020 Palestinians have died due to Israel’s military operations. Many areas of Gaza have been destroyed, and the humanitarian situation is worsening by the day.

Out of the 251 hostages, 49 remain in captivity with the Israeli army saying that 27 of them are believed to be dead.

Calls for Ceasefire and More Aid

Inside Israel, the families of hostages have been urging the government to agree to a ceasefire that could help bring their loved ones home. Internationally, many countries and groups are also asking for a break in the fighting, mainly to allow food and medicine into Gaza.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Tuesday that it is ready to bring in life-saving aid and messages from families to the hostages. But the group said this would only be possible if both sides — Israel and Hamas — agree to a deal.

Internal Pressures on Netanyahu

At home, Netanyahu is under pressure from two sides. On one side, families of hostages and parts of the public want a ceasefire and a diplomatic solution. On the other side, Netanyahu’s far-right political allies are pushing for the war to continue until Gaza is completely under Israeli control. These politicians believe Israel should reoccupy Gaza, even though it removed its settlers and soldiers from the region about 20 years ago.

Aid Blockade and Accusations

Israel had fully blocked Gaza in early March. After more than two months, it allowed some aid to come in — but only through a private group backed by the U.S. called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). This agency opened food distribution centres inside Gaza.

However, some U.N. experts have accused GHF of being used for hidden political or military purposes. On Tuesday, U.N. special experts demanded the group be shut down, saying aid was being exploited instead of helping those who need it.

In response to pressure, Israel has now said it will partially reopen trade with Gaza’s private businesses. Officials say this could help reduce dependence on foreign aid.

Civilians Killed Near Aid Sites

Despite talks of improving aid delivery, violence on the ground continues to harm innocent people. On Tuesday, the civil defence team in Gaza reported that Israeli troops killed 56 Palestinians who were gathered near food distribution sites, possibly hoping to receive aid.

The Israeli army told news agency AFP that its troops fired warning shots toward a group of Palestinians approaching them in the southern part of Gaza. However, they claimed they were not aware of any casualties.

In northern Gaza, the civil defence reported that 20 people were killed near an aid crossing. A journalist from AFP saw several dead bodies being taken to Hamad Hospital.

What Happens Next?

As the situation grows more dangerous, all eyes are on Israel’s next steps. The government’s war cabinet is expected to meet in the coming days to decide whether to expand military operations or agree to a deal to save the remaining hostages.

The world is watching closely. With Gaza facing starvation, rising death counts, and little sign of peace, leaders around the globe are urging both sides to reach an agreement before more lives are lost.

Whether Israel will choose continued fighting or a political deal remains uncertain. But one thing is clear — the people of Gaza, the hostages, and families on both sides are the ones paying the highest price.