Netanyahu presses for the release of hostages through ‘military solution’

Unable to find a diplomatic response to the hostage crisis, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pressing so that a “military solution” releases the remaining hostages that Hamas’ terrorists have, an Israeli official said to ABC News on Sunday.

Netanyahu has suggested expanding the Israeli military operation in Gaza and using military force to extract the final hostages that have been in captivity since it was kidnapped in the surprise attack of October 7, 2023 against Israel by Hamas terrorists.

It is believed that there are about 20 living hostages that Hamas are still in the hands of Hamas.

The Israeli official told ABC News that Israel and US officials are constantly dialogue.

The official said there is a growing understanding of the Israeli side that Hamas is not interested in an agreement on the hostages.

“Therefore, Prime Minister Netanyahu is pressing to expand military operations to free hostages through a military solution,” said the Israeli official.

On Saturday, thousands of protesters filled the streets of Tel Aviv, demanding that their government end the war and bring the last hostages home.

“They are on the absolute edge of death,” it is believed that Ilay David, whose brother, evy David, is believed to be among the remaining Israeli hostages of Hamas, told the protesters gathered in Tel Aviv. “In the current unimaginable condition, they can have only days to live.

Hamas launched a video during the weekend that shows David Evjatar with a painfully demacated appearance.

The protest broke out hours after Steve Witcoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy in the Middle East, met Israel with the families of hostages that are still captive.

As the global concern about the hunger crisis in Gaza, Witkoff and the United States ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee traveled to the Middle East on Friday to inspect the help distribution system backed by the United States and Israel there.

For months, humanitarian aid organizations and international organizations have warned that Gaza faces “critical” hunger levels and that famine is “imminent” in parts of the Gaza Strip.

A growing number of deaths has also been informed due to malnutrition, according to the Hamas-Direct Ministry of Health by Gaza.

At least 175 people, including 93 children, have died from malnutrition in Gaza, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.

Throughout the conflict, Israel has argued that it is sending enough help to Gaza, but international aid organizations have repeatedly said there is not enough help, and the United Nations have reported malnutrition conditions within Gaza.

The Israeli source that spoke with ABC News said that humanitarian aid will continue to enter Gaza in outside areas and areas no longer controlled by Hamas.