ISRAELI FORCES ADVANCE IN CENTRAL GAZA

Rather than withdrawing, Israeli military forces (IDF) began advancing in central Gaza today, furthering Prime Minister Netanyahu's determination to completely occupy the enclave pending the capture of the last hostages.

"This is just the beginning!" the Jewish leader reiterated, adding that he has no intention of initiating the second phase of the peace plan, but quite the opposite. "The army is prepared to occupy the entire territory," the Prime Minister's aides emphasize.

Who is to blame for this return to unbridled war? Israel claims Hamas is responsible for not releasing the last prisoners, while the radical Palestinian terrorist movement blames Netanyahu for delaying the negotiations.

The truth is that half a thousand Palestinian civilians have lost their lives in the latest attacks by Jewish forces, which could have been avoided if Hamas had handed over the last prisoners in its power; no one knows how many.

Perhaps Netanyahu was hoping for a delay in Hamas's position to show the international media that Israel has decided not to completely abandon Gaza, especially since the United States is not demanding it. Trump remains focused on the war in Ukraine.

Hamas has lost its top leaders, killed by Israel, such as Ismael Haniyeh, who to some extent could have been described as a "pacifist." The movement's current leaders have adopted the hardest line, although Palestinians who had even returned to the enclave, thinking the truce would continue for several more months, are dying every day.

But instead of a truce, Israel has returned to the hardest and most intransigent line, which is not the first time this has happened. Israel wants to make Gaza an example of the success of its military power and its ability to confront any terrorist attack, following what happened on October 7, 2023.

Many voices cry out for peace, but it is more like a voice in the wilderness.