Unable to discover a diplomatic reply to the hostage crisis, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing for a “navy answer” to free the remaining hostages being held by Hamas terrorists, an Israeli official advised ABC Information on Sunday.
Netanyahu has instructed increasing the Israeli navy operation in Gaza and utilizing navy power to extract the ultimate hostages who’ve been in captivity since being kidnapped within the Oct. 7, 2023, shock assault on Israel by Hamas terrorists.
It’s believed there are about 20 residing hostages nonetheless being held by Hamas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the press, on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 8, 2025.
Jim Watson/AFP by way of Getty Photos
The Israeli official advised ABC Information that Israel and U.S. officers are in fixed dialogue.
The official mentioned there’s a rising understanding on the Israeli aspect that Hamas is just not considering a deal on the hostages.
“Subsequently, Prime Minister Netanyahu is pushing to increase navy operations to launch the hostages by way of a navy answer,” the Israeli official mentioned.
On Saturday, 1000’s of protesters stuffed the streets of Tel Aviv, demanding their authorities finish the warfare and produce the final hostages residence.
“They’re on absolutely the brink of demise,” Ilay David, whose brother, Evyatar David, is believed to be among the many remaining Israeli hostages being held by Hamas, advised protesters gathered in Tel Aviv. “Within the present unimaginable situation, they could have solely days left to stay.
Hamas launched a video over the weekend exhibiting Evyatar David trying painfully emaciated.
The protest erupted hours after Steve Witcoff, Donald Trump’s particular envoy to the Center East, met in Israel with the households of hostages nonetheless in captivity.
As international concern over the starvation disaster in Gaza intensifies, Witkoff and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee traveled to the Center East on Friday to examine the U.S. and Israel-backed assist distribution system there.
For months, humanitarian assist organizations and worldwide our bodies have warned that Gaza is dealing with “essential” ranges of starvation and that famine is “imminent” in components of the Gaza Strip.
An growing variety of deaths on account of malnutrition have additionally been reported, in line with the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Well being.
No less than 175 folks, together with 93 kids, have died from malnutrition in Gaza, in line with the Gaza Well being Ministry.
All through the battle, Israel has maintained that it’s sending sufficient assist into Gaza, however worldwide assist organizations have repeatedly mentioned there’s not sufficient assist, and the United Nations has reported situations of malnutrition inside Gaza.
The Israeli supply who spoke to ABC Information mentioned humanitarian assist will proceed to enter Gaza in areas outdoors fight zones and areas now not managed by Hamas.
