Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet that Israel’s military pressure on Hamas is working. This comes after Israel sent a counter-proposal to Egyptian mediators to restart the ceasefire in Gaza.

“It works because it acts simultaneously,” Netanyahu said at the meeting. Moreover, he explained, “On the one hand, it crushes Hamas’s military and governmental capabilities. On the other hand, it creates conditions for the release of our hostages.”

Negotiations Under Fire

Meanwhile, Netanyahu said negotiating ‘under fire’ makes talks more effective. “We see that there are suddenly cracks,” he added. In addition, he stated that Hamas leaders can leave Gaza if they agree to lay down their weapons after the ceasefire.

Attacks Continue in Gaza

Meanwhile, Hamas’ health authorities reported that at least 20 people died in Israeli strikes on the first day of Eid al-Fitr. Since then, Israeli attacks have killed hundreds of Palestinians. Tens of thousands have been forced to leave northern Gaza. They had returned there after the January ceasefire.

Israel’s Goals in Gaza

Furthermore, Israel has not said how long its troops will stay in Gaza. However, Netanyahu confirmed the goal: to destroy Hamas’s military and government power.

“We will ensure general security in the Gaza Strip and enable the implementation of the Trump plan, the voluntary emigration plan,” Netanyahu said. “That is the plan. We do not hide it. We are ready to discuss it anytime.”

Interestingly, the Trump plan proposed relocating Gaza’s 2.3 million residents to Egypt and Jordan. It also suggested turning Gaza into a U.S.-owned resort. While Israeli military officials had doubts about the plan’s feasibility, Netanyahu’s government fully supports it.