Jerusalem, August 10, 2025: Israel’s far-right ministers have urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to escalate military operations against Hamas, ahead of a UN Security Council session on his plan to capture Gaza City.
Nearly two years into the Gaza war, Israeli society remains deeply divided — between those pushing for an end to the conflict through a hostage deal, and others demanding the complete defeat of Hamas. The debate intensified after Netanyahu’s security cabinet announced on Friday a plan to expand the offensive and seize Gaza City.
Thousands protested in Tel Aviv on Saturday against the move, while far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich released a video accusing the prime minister of lacking resolve.
“The cabinet gave in to weakness,” Smotrich said. “Instead of a decisive victory, they have opted for another limited operation aimed at partial pressure on Hamas for a partial hostage deal.”
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir echoed calls for a harder line, telling Kan Radio: “I want all of Gaza — transfer and colonisation. This plan will not endanger the troops.”
Netanyahu is set to address international media on Sunday afternoon in his first press conference since the cabinet’s decision. Far-right members of his coalition, including Smotrich and Ben Gvir, wield significant influence, with their support critical for maintaining the government’s parliamentary majority.
In Tel Aviv, families of hostages held in Gaza rallied, holding up portraits of their loved ones. “If you invade parts of Gaza and the hostages are murdered, we will pursue you in the streets, in election campaigns, and wherever you go,” said Shahar Mor Zahiro, a relative of a slain hostage.
The cabinet’s decision has drawn criticism internationally, with foreign powers — including some of Israel’s allies — calling for a negotiated truce to secure hostage releases and ease the deepening humanitarian crisis.
Despite mounting pressure and reports of unease within Israel’s military leadership, Netanyahu has vowed to press ahead, insisting on social media: “We are not going to occupy Gaza — we are going to free Gaza from Hamas.”
Out of 251 hostages seized during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, 49 remain in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military believes are dead. The assault killed 1,219 people in Israel, according to official figures.
Gaza’s health ministry says at least 61,430 Palestinians have been killed since the war began — figures deemed credible by the United Nations. On Sunday alone, Gaza’s civil defence agency reported 27 more deaths from Israeli fire, including 11 people waiting near aid distribution centres.
