Israel Begins Military Operation in Gaza City Amid Ceasefire Talks

Military Operation in Gaza City

• 🇮🇱 Israel's military announced the first steps of an operation to take over Gaza City, one of the last major areas not under its control.
• 🎯 IDF forces are reportedly holding the outskirts of Gaza's largest urban center, described as a "stronghold of governmental and military terror for Hamas."
• reservists were mobilized in preparation for an expected assault.

Ceasefire Negotiations and Hamas Stance

• 🕊️ Concurrently, the Israeli government is considering a new ceasefire proposal to pause the nearly two-year war.
• 🤝 Hamas has accepted a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire involving the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
• 🚫 Hamas accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing the deal to continue the "brutal war."

Internal Pressures and Demands

• 🌍 Many of Israel's allies have urged reconsideration of the planned assault on Gaza City.
• ⚖️ Netanyahu faces pressure from far-right coalition members to reject a temporary ceasefire and pursue annexation.
• 🔑 Israel insists all 50 remaining hostages must be released at once, believing 20 are still alive.
• 🛑 Hamas stated it would release all remaining hostages in exchange for an end to the war, while Israel maintains it will not end the war before Hamas disarms.