Netanyahu doubles down on Gaza policies, IDF actions amid civilian casualties

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has doubled down on Israel’s policies in Gaza, rejecting calls for a change in humanitarian and military strategies despite growing concerns about civilian casualties.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Netanyahu defended the actions of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and stressed that control of Gaza’s Philadelphia Strip remains non-negotiable.

In response to a question from CNN’s Jeremy Diamond about civilian deaths in Gaza, Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to Israel’s military objectives.

“I will not change our humanitarian policies, vaccination policies or combat policies,” Netanyahu said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come under fresh criticism after a recent one report revealed that he introduced last-minute demands that blocked a potential hostage and cease-fire deal that happened in July, prolonging the conflict.

The report cites an internal Israeli document detailing additional demands made during the negotiations.

Those demands have sparked frustration among the hostages’ families, who accuse the prime minister of prioritizing political gain over freeing their loved ones.

The anger of the hostage families grew over the weekend when the bodies of six hostages, including Carmel Gat, Aden Yerushalmi and Hersh Goldberg-Polin, were found in Gaza.

They were reportedly set to be released under a previous draft agreement in May.

The Hostage Families Forum said the discovery of their bodies was “a direct result of Netanyahu’s aborting of the accords.”

Disappointment with Netanyahu’s leadership continues to grow in Israel, with protests entering their fourth straight day since the bodies of the hostages were discovered.

Protesters have gathered outside the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv, calling on Netanyahu to secure a deal and bring the hostages home.

In response to the growing hostility, the Hostage and Missing Families Forum called on Netanyahu to stop wearing the yellow ribbon, a symbol of solidarity with the hostages, accusing him of exploiting the symbol for political gain.