Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on the 21st that he would increase military pressure on Hamas to ensure the release of the hostages. It has been reported that the US government will sanction an Israeli army for human rights abuse, and Netanyahu stressed that he will fight with all his might. On the other hand, Israeli forces continued to bombard Gaza, killing 22 people, including 18 children, in the southern city of Rafah.
Israeli Prime Minister: Increase pressure on Hamas to secure the release of the hostages
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once again stressed in a video speech on the 21st that all proposals to release the hostages were categorically rejected by Hamas, describing that the only obstacle to reaching an agreement was Hamas. As a result, Israel will increase military pressure on Hamas to secure the release of the hostages.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
In the coming days, we will increase military and political pressure on Hamas, because this is the only way to free the hostages and achieve victory.
Netanyahu did not mention details in his speech, but the Israeli army's chief of staff, Halevi, has approved plans for the Israeli army to continue its military operations.
A number of U.S. media reported on the 20th, citing people familiar with the matter, that the Biden administration will announce sanctions against a battalion-level unit of the Israel Defense Forces in the next few days, accusing it of allegedly violating human rights in the West Bank. This will be the first time that the United States has imposed sanctions on the military units of its ally, Israel. Netanyahu responded on the same day that he would do everything in his power to fight it.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
I will resolutely defend the IDF, our army and fighters, and if anyone thinks they can impose sanctions on IDF units, I will do everything in my power to fight against them. Just as our soldiers unite to protect us on the battlefield, we will also unite to protect them in the political arena.
Opposition leader Benny Gantz, a member of Israel's wartime cabinet, said he spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to ask him to reconsider the sanctions decision.
Eighteen children were killed in Israeli air strikes on Rafah
On the Gaza side, Israeli forces continued to launch air strikes. The Palestinian health department said on the 21st that the Israeli army launched military strikes on many places in Gaza over the weekend, killing 48 people, and at least 22 people died in Rafah in the south, including 18 children.
In response to the airstrikes on Rafah, the Israeli army said it had only attacked a number of militant targets in Gaza, including military buildings, launch stations and armed men.
Popular demonstrations continue in Israel demanding the immediate release of the hostages by Hamas, while criticizing the Netanyahu government for abandoning its own people, arguing that the government should dismiss the hostages if it cannot get them back.
Source: Phoenix Satellite TV Information Channel
Editor: Qiu Guo