Prime Minister Netanyahu abandons the course of entertaining ceasefire and hostage swaps—insisting that the only possible outcome is an end-of-war surrender that ensures the return of all captives, dismantles Hamas leadership, and prevents both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority from governing post-war Gaza.

In a decisive shift that reflects deep strategic clarity, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has unequivocally ruled out further negotiations for partial ceasefires or hostage-release deals with Hamas. Instead, his government will only contemplate an agreement if it secures a total victory—end-of-war terms that accomplish Israel’s central war aims.

According to a report in Israel National News published today (August 12), Netanyahu has made clear that he will not pursue partial arrangements; Israel will only negotiate under conditions that guarantee the return of all hostages, alive or deceased. This marks a firm departure from previous interim compromises that brought back 80% of the 255 hostages initially taken.

Strategic Clarity, Not Compromise

Recent cabinet discussions emphasised that partial deals now do more harm than good—wasting valuable time, diluting military pressure, and sustaining Hamas’s leadership and leverage. For Netanyahu and his allies, Hamas’s continued intransigence means that incremental diplomacy fails to advance Israel’s long-term interests.

Reports from Reuters confirm that Israel is intensifying its offensive in eastern Gaza City while ceasefire talks collapse, reinforcing Netanyahu’s stance that partial or temporary agreements no longer suffice. Similarly, a Reuters analysis of security cabinet moves highlights that Netanyahu is preparing to expand military operations while domestic pressure mounts both for and against escalation.

Haaretz quotes the Prime Minister as saying that defeating Hamas is the only path to freeing the remaining hostages, rejecting partial releases as prolonging the war without delivering success. This commitment aligns with Netanyahu’s longstanding principle: Israel will not negotiate against its own strategic objectives.

A Decisive Plan for Gaza

Supporters frame Netanyahu’s approach as bold, measured, and necessary. A five‑step plan discussed in the security cabinet includes: disarming Hamas completely, freeing the remaining hostages, demilitarizing Gaza, maintaining temporary Israeli security control, and transferring governance to a non‑Hamas civilian administration—possibly supported by moderate Arab states.

Netanyahu has stressed that Israel does not seek permanent governance over Gaza, but rather a short-term security presence to dismantle Hamas and restore stability.

Facing International and Domestic Tensions

The firm stance has generated both support and criticism. Amid mounting civilian casualties and a dire humanitarian situation—including over 61,000 Palestinian deaths and widespread hunger—global voices call for aid and ceasefires . Yet the release of distressing hostage footage earlier this month refocused Israeli media and public urgency on the hostages’ plight, shifting discourse away from Gaza’s humanitarian crisis .

Abroad, U.S. political figures echo elements of Netanyahu’s firm posture. Former President Donald Trump stated—after a recent call with Netanyahu—that “Hamas cannot be allowed to remain in Gaza,” aligning with Israel’s approach of military pressure to achieve victory and expel the terror regime.

Domestically, however, dissent is rising. The Hostages Families Forum criticized Netanyahu’s apparent reference to only the 20 hostages believed alive, suggesting diminished compassion or miscommunication . Protesters—including families of hostages—recently staged a maritime demonstration off Ashkelon, demanding a resolution and release of captives from Gaza.

Strategic Resolution Over Incremental Negotiation

For Netanyahu and his supporters, the shift away from partial agreements is not a surrender to militarism but a strategic recalibration. Incremental deals are seen as prematurely granting Hamas breathing space while undermining Israel’s security goals.

Leaked cabinet remarks emphasize that time is critical and Hamas remains unwilling to change its stance; thus, partial deals are futile. The only viable strategy now is to press for a comprehensive surrender locale that returns all hostages, uproots Hamas leadership, and secures Israel’s future on its own terms .

Conclusion

In Netanyahu’s view, the war’s trajectory has changed: initial partial releases once served Israel’s needs. Now, they serve only Hamas—undermining victory and extending the conflict. Full victory, under the terms he has defined, is the only realistic, morally grounded path forward.

Israel’s leadership, he believes, must not settle for temporary relief. The nation deserves total victory: hostages returned, Hamas eliminated, Gaza secured—and peace set on Israeli terms.