Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu closed off the possibility of a partial ceasefire or limited hostage-release deal with Hamas, declaring that such an option is no longer on the table.
Addressing Israeli television network i24 on Tuesday, Netanyahu announced that the opportunity for a partial deal "is behind us."
He brushed off opposition leader and ex-senior defense officials' calls to slow the progress of the war. Netanyahu reasserted that Israel's goal still is to end the war, dismantle Hamas, and win the freedom of all the hostages in one, sweeping agreement "on our terms."
"I won't return to interim agreements," he stated, accusing Hamas of having been "deceptive" towards Israel, although he did not specify, Xinhua news agency reported.
Sunday, Netanyahu revealed intentions to extend Israel's military campaign to the rest of Gaza City into other areas beyond Israeli authority, where the majority of the enclave's population—approximately two million people—has fled in the face of a deteriorating humanitarian crisis.
At the same time, the Israeli army reported Tuesday that it had killed five "arming militants disguised as aid workers" in a drone attack last week in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza. The men were close to a car with the logo of the World Central Kitchen (WCK), a humanitarian organization.
Based on drone video published by the army, a number of men in yellow vests could be seen standing near the car. The military stated that they were "threatening" Israeli troops, although no soldiers could be seen in the video and the men were not observed pointing their guns.
The army explained that the incident was "an attempt to hide their activity and not get targeted," and that Israel's Gaza District Coordination and Liaison Office had ascertained from the WCK that the vehicle did not belong to the organisation's activities.
The WCK, which has been delivering food to Gaza since the Israeli offensive started in October 2023, has encountered significant operational challenges due to the shortages brought about by the Israeli blockade. The group did not release an immediate public statement regarding the military's accusation. Hamas also stayed mum on the matter.
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