Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that he had personally traveled to the occupied Gaza Strip to approve new military plans aimed at capturing Gaza City and crushing the Palestinian resistance.

“We are at the decision-making stage. Today, I arrived in the Gaza Strip to approve the plans presented to me and the defense minister by the IDF to capture the city of Gaza and defeat Hamas,” Netanyahu declared, signaling Israel’s determination to escalate its genocidal war despite international concern over mass civilian casualties.

The announcement comes as Netanyahu simultaneously claimed to have ordered “negotiations” for the release of captives, though he insisted the war would only end under conditions dictated by Israel — effectively dismissing ongoing international mediation efforts.

Hamas and other Palestinian factions have consistently called for an end to Israel’s brutal siege and occupation, which has martyred over 61,000 Palestinians and displaced countless others since October 2023. The latest Israeli plan to occupy Gaza City threatens to deepen the humanitarian catastrophe, with fears of intensified violence and further suffering for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, who are already enduring severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.

Palestinian advocates have condemned Netanyahu’s actions as a deliberate escalation aimed at derailing peace efforts and perpetuating Israel’s genocidal policies. “The Palestinian resistance has shown its commitment to peace by accepting the mediators’ proposal, yet Israel continues to prioritize occupation and violence over justice,” said a spokesperson for Hamas. “The international community must hold Israel accountable for its aggression and support the Palestinian people’s right to resist occupation.”

As Gaza braces for the looming threat of further Israeli military operations, global calls for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the occupation grow louder. Activists and supporters of Palestine worldwide are urging decisive action to halt Israel’s plans and protect the people of Gaza from further devastation.

“The Palestinian people will not surrender,” the Hamas spokesperson added. “Our resistance is rooted in our right to freedom and dignity, and we will continue to fight for both.” (LKHA)