Netanyahu announces offensive against Hamas: hostage remain central!

Netanyahu announces offensive against Hamas: hostage remain central!

On May 14, 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the upcoming offensive in the Gaza Strip, which aims to completely smash the Hamas. Netanyahu emphasized that this offensive should begin “in the coming days” and that the defeat of the Hamas is inseparable from the liberation of the remaining hostages. He pointed out that Israel is not planning to end the war, even if Hamas would release further hostages. A temporary ceasefire is possible, but not a permanent end of the fights.

The Israeli army has already started mobilizing tens of thousands of reservists. Before the start of the offensive, Israel is waiting for the three-day visit to US President Donald Trump to be completed in the Golf region. Trump, who started in Saudi Arabia, will also visit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. In the meantime, France President Emmanuel Macron expressed sharp criticism of Israel and pointed out the serious humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, where the help is blocked and the population suffers from severe conditions. Macron described the humanitarian situation as "devastating", without water and medication.

reactions and negotiations

In addition, Netanyahu explained that the proposed conditions of Hamas were not acceptable for an army rest. He described the negotiations as "not progressing" and the offers of Hamas as "bizar". According to Netanyahu, “total profit” in Gaza can be reached within months. A delusional signal for the future is the statement that a survival of Hamas would lead to future violence. A high Hamas official, on the other hand, criticized Netanyahu's statements as a "political chatter". Talks about possible agreements are mediated by Egypt and Qatar and should be continued in Cairo.

In a ceasefire plan proposed by Hamas, several phases are provided, which include a 45-day fight stop, the exchange of hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from populated areas and reconstruction measures. This plan also provides for an increase in food and aid deliveries for Gaza. Despite these suggestions, it turns out that many women and children live in the refugee camps in Rafah under difficult conditions, while others are afraid of fighting.

humanitarian situation and international criticism

The number of victims in the context of the conflict is terrifying. Around 1,200 people were killed in the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. In return, over 27,700 Palestinians and at least 65,000 more were injured. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged that an expansion of the conflict in Rafah would further tighten the humanitarian situation. Almost two million people are fleeing in Gaza and access to humanitarian aid remains blocked. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier emphasized the urgency to restore access to this help.

The internationally politically tense relations with Israel remain unchanged: the United States and Europe recognize the right to self -defense, but criticize the proportionality of the military reaction and have temporarily stopped the delivery of severe bombs. The war has polarized the Israeli society, which is expressed in protests against the government, and society continues to suffer the consequences of the security failures that led to the attack.

In this context, the question is discussed whether the conversations can be continued in order to enable humanitarian breaks and to replace hostage -takers. The conflict has not only affected the Palestinians, but also hardened geopolitical tensions throughout the Middle East, including the engagement of the HISBOLLAH in Lebanon and the potential for a broader regional escalation.

*for further information on the developments and the humanitarian situation in Gaza, see the reports of Süddeutsche Zeitung , BBC and ZDF .

Details
OrtRafah, Palästinensische Gebiete
Quellen

Kommentare (0)