Part 8/10:
Despite the offer, Hamas has rejected the proposal, demanding an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as a precondition for releasing hostages. This stance effectively maintains Hamas's control over the territory, with its ultimate objective remaining intact. The rejection comes amid a deadly backdrop: the Israeli Defense Forces suffered their deadliest day in the conflict, with 24 soldiers killed in southern Gaza.
Political and Strategic Implications
Israel’s overarching goal remains the complete destruction of Hamas to prevent future attacks and weaken Iranian influence. Hamas’s embedment within Gaza's infrastructure complicates Israeli efforts to target the terror group without escalating civilian casualties, which hampers international support and increases media pressure.