Mon Dec 09 20:35:38 UTC 2024: ## Netanyahu Vows to Continue Gaza Offensive Despite Renewed Ceasefire Efforts
**JERUSALEM** – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Monday that Israel’s military operation in Gaza will continue, despite renewed international efforts to broker a ceasefire. Speaking at a press conference, Netanyahu insisted that ending the conflict now would allow Hamas to regroup and launch future attacks. He reiterated Israel’s goal of completely dismantling Hamas’s military and administrative capabilities, a goal he admitted is not yet achieved.
Netanyahu’s statement comes amidst signs of potential breakthroughs in stalled ceasefire and hostage release negotiations. While US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently praised Israel’s success in weakening Hamas, he also stressed the need for a negotiated end to the conflict, prioritizing the return of hostages.
New momentum for talks has reportedly emerged, with Qatar, a key mediator, citing the recent US Presidential election as a contributing factor. Turkey and Egypt are also reportedly involved in renewed efforts. A source close to the Hamas delegation confirmed that new talks could begin soon.
However, Netanyahu’s resolve to continue the offensive faces mounting pressure from protesters, including families of the hostages held in Gaza, who accuse him of prolonging the suffering. The 14-month-old conflict, triggered by a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, has resulted in a devastating loss of life on both sides. Over 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, were killed in the initial Hamas attack, and at least 44,758 Palestinians, predominantly civilians, have died in the ensuing Israeli retaliatory offensive, according to the UN-reliable Hamas-run health ministry. The fate of 96 hostages, including 34 declared dead by the Israeli military, remains uncertain. The ongoing conflict continues to be a source of intense international concern.
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