But the second phase never began after Netanyahu said he had accepted a plan by Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, to extend the ceasefire for 50 days to discuss phase two — a proposal that was immediately rejected by Hamas.
Following Hamas’ rejection, Israel blocked the flow of aid and goods into Gaza in a move condemned by rights groups.
Israel’s military called Tuesday’s strikes “pre-emptive” and suggested without providing any evidence that Hamas was attempting to rearm.
Pressure at home
Since the start of the war, Netanyahu has faced significant and conflicting pressures from various parties inside Israel, while drawing widespread international criticism for the Israeli military’s conduct and the mounting death toll in Gaza.
Families of hostages taken during Hamas’ terror attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, have long called for a deal that would see the release of their loved ones. Around 250 people were taken captive that day and 1,200 killed, according to Israeli tallies. More than 48,000 people have died in Gaza in the Israeli military campaign since then, according to health officials in the enclave.
But far-right members of the Israeli government, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have threatened to quit if Israel moves to the second phase of the deal, while calling for the total annihilation of Hamas.
Were that to happen, it would most likely bring about early elections, and Netanyahu, who is currently on trial over unrelgraft allegations, could be pushed out of power.
