Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday doubled down on his government’s decision to launch a renewed offensive against Hamas in key areas of Gaza, pushing forward despite mounting criticism from both international allies and domestic opponents. Speaking at a press conference in Jerusalem, Netanyahu announced that the Israeli military was preparing to expand its operations into central Gaza and Gaza City — areas currently sheltering hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians who had sought safety from earlier fighting.

The proposed escalation has triggered strong opposition from multiple quarters. Families of Israeli hostages expressed fear that the expanded assault could endanger their loved ones still held by Hamas. In addition, senior Israeli military leaders have reportedly warned about the strain on troops who have been engaged in almost continuous combat for months.

Netanyahu, however, remained resolute, framing the operation as an unavoidable step to achieve Israel’s war aims. “Given Hamas’s refusal to lay down its arms, Israel has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas,” he said. “Dismantling the two remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza City and the central camps — this is the best way to end the war.”

Military Plans and International Reaction

On Friday, Israel’s security cabinet — a high-level ministerial body chaired by Netanyahu — approved preparations for the military to take control of Gaza City. Officials have suggested that this could take weeks or even months, leaving room for diplomatic negotiations that might alter or suspend the operation.

International reaction to the decision was swift and severe. Aid agencies and several European governments blamed Israel for worsening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, pointing to strict limits on humanitarian aid deliveries and a controversial Israeli-backed distribution system that they say has exacerbated hunger.

The United Nations Security Council convened a rare Sunday meeting at the request of Britain, Denmark, Greece, France, and Slovenia in direct response to Israel’s announcement. Britain’s UN representative, James Kariuki, warned that “expanding military operations will do nothing to bring an end to this conflict,” calling it “a path to more bloodshed” rather than resolution. He urged Hamas to disarm, advocated for more aid deliveries, and proposed that the Palestinian Authority — currently administering parts of the West Bank — should play a role in Gaza’s post-war governance. This idea was rejected by Israel’s cabinet, which recently laid out five principles for ending the war.

France echoed Britain’s concerns, adding a proposal for a temporary international stabilization force to maintain security in Gaza. Russia’s representative accused the United States of granting Israel “carte blanche” to violate international law.

Israel and U.S. Push Back Against Criticism

The United States and Israel rejected condemnation of the plan during their Security Council statements, placing blame on Hamas for civilian suffering. They also criticized nations that have recently recognized Palestinian statehood, arguing such moves undermine cease-fire talks and reward Hamas’s actions.

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian representative to the UN, welcomed the global attention but demanded immediate action. He urged the deployment of an international protection force to prevent what he called “certain death” for the Palestinian people.

Later on Sunday, Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the prime minister had spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding plans to take control of remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza. While no specific details were disclosed, Netanyahu thanked Trump for his “steadfast support.”

Familiar Patterns in a Prolonged War

For both Israelis and Palestinians, Netanyahu’s call to seize Hamas’s final strongholds felt like déjà vu. In February 2024, he had declared that Rafah represented “Hamas’s last bastion” and predicted victory was near. Yet the war has continued largely unabated, with local health officials in Gaza reporting more than 60,000 deaths since October 2023. These figures include both civilians and combatants.

The conflict began when Hamas launched a large-scale assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing roughly 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages back to Gaza. Many hostages remain unaccounted for today.

When pressed about Gaza’s post-war governance, Netanyahu ruled out both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority but declined to offer a clear alternative, saying it was too early to determine who would fill the power vacuum. Hamas, in a counterstatement, accused Netanyahu of deception and claimed that Israel’s true goal was the forced displacement of Palestinians.

Domestic Political Tensions

Within Israel, opposition to Netanyahu’s plan is far from uniform. Hostage families and victims’ relatives have announced plans for a nationwide strike next Sunday, aiming to shut down the economy in protest of the cabinet’s decision.

On the political right, reactions are split. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich criticized the operation as too cautious, calling for a “sharp, clear path” to a decisive victory with “no more stops in the middle.” He accused Netanyahu of reversing course after initially promising a dramatic, lightning-fast military campaign. Smotrich warned that any deal allowing Hamas to regroup would be unacceptable and suggested that faith in Netanyahu’s leadership was eroding.

In contrast, Itamar Ben-Gvir, another far-right minister in Netanyahu’s coalition, praised the plan to fully capture Gaza City, noting that it could lead to the displacement of up to one million Palestinians.

The political stakes are high for Netanyahu, whose coalition depends on the support of both Smotrich and Ben-Gvir. Any shift away from a hardline Gaza policy could prompt resignations that would threaten the government’s stability.

Operational Challenges and Risks

The cabinet has set an October 7 deadline for evacuating the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians currently in Gaza City before launching a ground assault there. According to an Israeli official, mobilizing sufficient reserve forces for the mission will take time, and the operation’s details remain fluid.

Analysts warn that the risks are considerable. A large-scale offensive could result in significant casualties among both Palestinians and Israeli soldiers, and could also endanger the roughly 20 hostages believed to still be alive in Gaza.

Critics argue that without a clear political strategy for what comes after Hamas’s defeat, Israel risks becoming mired in an indefinite occupation or facing renewed insurgency. Others counter that the alternative — leaving Hamas in control of territory — would guarantee future attacks.

Global Diplomatic Impasse

The widening gap between Israel and much of the international community underscores a deeper diplomatic deadlock. Calls for a cease-fire, humanitarian aid expansion, and a negotiated political solution are clashing with Netanyahu’s insistence on total military victory. While some nations see the Palestinian Authority as a potential stabilizing force, Israel’s leadership views it as an unsuitable partner.

For now, the path forward remains uncertain. Netanyahu has shown no sign of backing down, while foreign governments warn of escalating humanitarian disaster. The outcome may hinge on developments in both the battlefield and the negotiating room — if diplomatic channels remain open at all.

As the October deadline approaches, the situation in Gaza is poised to enter another dangerous phase, with the potential to reshape not only the local balance of power but also Israel’s international relationships. Whether Netanyahu’s strategy brings about the “decisive victory” he seeks, or plunges the region into deeper instability, will depend on the coming weeks’ military and diplomatic maneuvers.