MUGHRAQA, Gaza Strip — As new revelations emerge regarding the dire condition of hostages, there is increasing pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to consider extending a precarious ceasefire in Gaza. This follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s reiterated commitment regarding the U.S. taking control of the Palestinian territory.
Negotiations for the next phase are set to commence on February 3, aiming to secure the release of more hostages and facilitate a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. However, little progress has been reported between Israel and Hamas, despite Israeli forces pulling back from a Gaza corridor as part of the ongoing ceasefire. A delegation from Netanyahu traveled to Qatar, known for its mediation efforts, but their low-level representatives have raised doubts about the potential for significant outcomes. Following a visit to the U.S., Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with his security Cabinet on Tuesday.
In remarks made onboard Air Force One, Trump reaffirmed his intention to assume control over Gaza, indicating that the U.S. might delegate reconstruction efforts to neighboring countries. He emphasized that the region has become a wasteland, devoid of any viable future unless radical changes occur. Trump claimed that many Palestinians do not wish to return to Gaza due to the current conditions, suggesting that alternatives could be provided for resettlement elsewhere.
His comments followed the unsettling return of hostages who appeared severely malnourished. Trump expressed his discontent, likening their condition to that of Holocaust survivors, and indicated growing impatience with the situation. Meanwhile, Netanyahu has indicated some openness to the idea of relocating Gaza’s population, a plan that has been met with resistance from Hamas, the Palestinians, and wide segments of the international community.
An emergency Arab summit is scheduled to take place in Egypt on February 27 to address these escalating issues amid rising tensions. Trump’s proposal faces significant moral, legal, and practical challenges and might be intended as a maneuver to apply pressure on Hamas or set the stage for a normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials denounced Netanyahu’s comments about Palestinian statehood in Saudi territory, interpreting them as a distraction from Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Families of hostages are expressing urgency over the deteriorating conditions of their loved ones, providing heart-wrenching accounts of their suffering. Reports from survivors reveal appalling living conditions, with minimal food and extreme deprivation. Relatives are actively urging the Israeli government to expedite negotiations as time runs out for the hostages, emphasizing the severe toll of continued captivity on those still held.
The current ceasefire, which has been in effect since January 19, has led to hopes of ending a 16-month-long conflict that has significantly altered the geopolitical landscape of the region. Recent actions included Israeli forces’ withdrawal from the strategically significant Netzarim corridor, which had served as a military zone. However, the situation remains precarious, as evidenced by ongoing violence, including reported casualties due to Israeli fire in Gaza.
Despite the ceasefire, Israeli military operations continue against perceived threats in the West Bank, leading to increased violence. Recent reports noted fatalities from Israeli gunfire in refugee camps, prompting the defense minister to announce an expansion of operations aimed at curbing Iranian influence in the area. As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the international community watches closely, with families pleading for an end to hostilities and urgent action for the hostages.
