Israeli public demands hostage deal amid Netanyahu’s Gaza strategy

Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, recently faced growing pressure from the Israeli public and his own defense minister, Yoav Gallant, regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza. While Netanyahu aims to eradicate Hamas, a significant portion of the population is advocating for a deal to secure the release of hostages held by the militant group. This public sentiment has shifted, with many citizens expressing dissatisfaction with the current military strategy. During a press event, Netanyahu attempted to justify his approach by emphasizing the importance of maintaining control over the Philadelphi Corridor, a strategic area that could hinder negotiations with Hamas. However, Gallant's suggestion to withdraw military forces to facilitate hostage release highlights a divide in strategy within the Israeli leadership. The situation remains tense as the public's demand for a resolution grows, putting additional pressure on Netanyahu's administration to reconsider its tactics in the ongoing conflict.