Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has confirmed that Israel will not halt its offensive in Gaza while working towards a potential hostage deal.
Speaking during a tour of the Tel Nof Airbase in central Israel, Katz expressed cautious optimism that Israel could make progress on the hostage situation, though he did not offer further details on the negotiations.
Katz made it clear that Israel's military campaign in Gaza would continue until all hostages are returned and its objectives are met. He also stated that Hamas must not be allowed to govern Gaza in the future, describing this as a non-negotiable position for Israel.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has seen a significant escalation since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack across the southern Israeli border, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of around 250 hostages.
In the wake of these events, Israel initiated a large-scale military offensive in Gaza.
At the same time, official negotiations between Israel and Hamas have come to a standstill. Qatar, one of the main mediators in the talks, has accused both sides of lacking good faith, hindering any progress towards a resolution.
The human cost of the conflict has been devastating. According to Gaza’s health authorities, over 44,500 people have died in the more than 13 months of ongoing Israeli attacks, underscoring the scale of the humanitarian crisis in the region.
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