Unable to discover a diplomatic reply to the hostage crisis, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing for a “army resolution” to free the remaining hostages being held by Hamas terrorists, an Israeli official advised ABC Information on Sunday.
Netanyahu has steered increasing the Israeli army operation in Gaza and utilizing army drive to extract the ultimate hostages who’ve been in captivity since being kidnapped within the Oct. 7, 2023, shock assault on Israel by Hamas terrorists.
It’s believed there are about 20 residing hostages nonetheless being held by Hamas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the press, on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 8, 2025.
Jim Watson/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
The Israeli official advised ABC Information that Israel and U.S. officers are in fixed dialogue.
The official mentioned there’s a rising understanding on the Israeli facet that Hamas just isn’t desirous about a deal on the hostages.
“Subsequently, Prime Minister Netanyahu is pushing to increase army operations to launch the hostages by way of a army resolution,” the Israeli official mentioned.
On Saturday, 1000’s of protesters crammed the streets of Tel Aviv, demanding their authorities finish the warfare and produce the final hostages dwelling.
“They’re on absolutely the brink of dying,” Ilay David, whose brother, Evyatar David, is believed to be among the many remaining Israeli hostages being held by Hamas, advised protesters gathered in Tel Aviv. “Within the present unimaginable situation, they might have solely days left to stay.
Hamas launched a video over the weekend displaying Evyatar David trying painfully emaciated.
The protest erupted hours after Steve Witcoff, Donald Trump’s particular envoy to the Center East, met in Israel with the households of hostages nonetheless in captivity.
As world concern over the starvation disaster in Gaza intensifies, Witkoff and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee traveled to the Center East on Friday to examine the U.S. and Israel-backed support distribution system there.
For months, humanitarian support organizations and worldwide our bodies have warned that Gaza is dealing with “essential” ranges of starvation and that famine is “imminent” in elements of the Gaza Strip.
An rising variety of deaths resulting from malnutrition have additionally been reported, in keeping with the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Well being.
A minimum of 175 folks, together with 93 youngsters, have died from malnutrition in Gaza, in keeping with the Gaza Well being Ministry.
All through the battle, Israel has maintained that it’s sending sufficient support into Gaza, however worldwide support organizations have repeatedly mentioned there may be not sufficient support, and the United Nations has reported circumstances of malnutrition inside Gaza.
The Israeli supply who spoke to ABC Information mentioned humanitarian support will proceed to enter Gaza in areas exterior fight zones and areas now not managed by Hamas.