Netanyahu decided to take full control of Gaza

Israel’s defense forces had already announced that they are contrary to the taking of the entire Gaza Strip. In the army assessment, the cleaning of all Hamas infrastructure could take years. This could also put hostages at risk of execution if the troops approached the place where they are detained.

Israel wants to put the issue of hostages held in captivity for 22 months in Gaza at the center of the international agenda. The statement by Foreign Minister Gideon Saar was given on the eve of a UN Security Council session, called by Israel and dedicated to the theme.

Netanyahu has announced that he will summon his office “this week” to “give instructions” to the army. “We are in the midst of an intense war in which we got very important, historical successes, because we were not divided … We must remain united,” he said. The prime minister remembered the “war goals”: “defeat the enemy, free our hostages and ensure that Gaza no longer is a threat to Israel.”

About 50 hostages are under the possession of Hamas in Gaza. Israel believes that about 20 are still alive, while 30 may be dead.

Visibly debilitated and malnourished hostages have gained the world and generated commotion. Hamas showed Israelis Rom Breslevski, 22, and Avryatar David, 24, in what appears to be a tunnel in Gaza, in a video dated July 27.