Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered immediate negotiations for the release of all hostages held in Gaza and an end to the war, while simultaneously advancing military plans to capture Gaza City and defeat Hamas. This dual approach aims to achieve Israel’s security objectives through both diplomatic and military means.
Who: The key actors include Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli government and military, Hamas as the opposing force, and international organizations involved in the conflict. Netanyahu made the announcement during a visit to the military’s Gaza command in southern Israel, addressing soldiers and officials.
What: Netanyahu has instructed his government to begin ‘immediate negotiations’ for the release of all hostages—both living and dead—and to seek an end to the war on terms acceptable to Israel. Concurrently, he is moving forward with approving operational plans for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to take control of Gaza City, which is seen as a stronghold of Hamas.
When: The announcement was made on August 21, 2025, with immediate effect. Netanyahu’s remarks came in a video recorded that day, ahead of a high-level security meeting with defense chiefs and cabinet ministers to finalize the military plans.
Where: The events are centered in Israel and the Gaza Strip, specifically targeting Gaza City, which is the densely populated urban center of Gaza. The negotiations and military operations have implications for the broader Middle East region and international diplomacy.
Why: Israel’s objectives include dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities, ensuring the return of all hostages, demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, maintaining Israeli security control, and establishing an alternative civilian administration that is not affiliated with Hamas or the Palestinian Authority. This is part of a nearly two-year-old conflict aimed at securing Israel’s borders and preventing future attacks.
How: Netanyahu has directed officials to initiate negotiations, potentially with Hamas or through intermediaries, while the IDF is ramping up its offensive, including issuing warning calls to medical and international organizations in Gaza’s north to prepare residents for evacuation. The military plans involve a ground offensive to capture Gaza City.
Impact: The dual strategy could lead to a breakthrough in hostage releases and a ceasefire, but it also risks escalating the conflict, causing further civilian casualties, displacement, and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The UN’s relief agency has expressed concerns about malnourished civilians not surviving the offensive, and protests have occurred in Gaza City against the war and potential relocations.
What’s next: Netanyahu is expected to give final approval for the Gaza City takeover plans, and negotiations may proceed once a venue is established, but only under Israel’s strict terms. The situation remains fluid, with international observers watching for developments that could either de-escalate or intensify the conflict.