Netanyahu Approves Occupation Plan and Orders Start of Negotiations

SadaNews Translation - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday evening his approval of a plan to occupy the city of Gaza and decisively confront Hamas.

Netanyahu stated in a video, as translated by SadaNews, that he simultaneously ordered the immediate start of negotiations for the release of all hostages and to end the war under terms acceptable to Israel.

He said: "We are at a decisive stage.. these two issues, the decisive confrontation with Hamas and the release of all our hostages, are proceeding side by side."

Channel 12 quoted an Israeli official stating that no negotiating delegation would currently be sent to Cairo or Doha.

The Yedioth Ahronoth website reported that Netanyahu has chosen the option of negotiating with Hamas under fire.

It interpreted Netanyahu's statement as a rejection of Hamas's response, which had agreed to a partial deal, emphasizing that Israel is only ready for a comprehensive agreement, and that it will not halt the "Gideon 2" operation. From its perspective, this does not contradict negotiations; rather, Netanyahu supports this action because it pressures Hamas, which realizes that if it does not show flexibility, it will not be able to stop the operation.

The website added: Despite Netanyahu's statement that Israel insists on the release of all hostages and the end of the war, this does not mean that the door to negotiations is completely closed, and this could be a result of the negotiations if a comprehensive agreement is not reached. The Gideon 2 operation provides Israel with strong leverage over Hamas.

In Israel, it is believed that Hamas's acceptance of a partial agreement stems from the pressures it has faced and its desire to stop the operation, which is why Israel is escalating its pressure. As mentioned by the website and translated by SadaNews.