**Israel Aims for Comprehensive Hostage Release Amid Ongoing Gaza Offensive**

In a significant shift, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasizes a unified approach to secure the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a new direction for ceasefire negotiations, focusing on a comprehensive agreement to secure the simultaneous release of all hostages held by Hamas. This shift follows a previously proposed 60-day truce that would have allowed for the partial release of hostages. Currently, Hamas representatives are in Cairo engaging in preliminary discussions with Egyptian officials.

As the situation escalates, Israeli media anticipate intensified military operations in Gaza, projected to commence in October. This build-up of offensive capabilities comes as the Israeli military has already intensified airstrikes on Gaza City, resulting in numerous civilian casualties, including significant losses among children. Hospitals in the area report a spike in death tolls due to these recent attacks.

In a recent interview, Netanyahu expressed skepticism about the feasibility of a partial ceasefire, explaining that past negotiations had not yielded positive results. He stated, "I think it's behind us," reinforcing his commitment to securing the return of all hostages, both living and deceased. Currently, reports indicate that approximately 50 hostages remain in captivity following the Hamas-led assault on October 7, with around 20 believed to be alive.

Under mounting pressure from local and international communities, Netanyahu is being urged to expedite the hostage release amid his plans for military escalation. Meanwhile, officials from Egypt and Qatar are attempting to revive previous frameworks that proposed a phased plan for hostages’ release alongside a ceasefire and humanitarian aid. The Egyptian Foreign Minister shared that efforts are underway to return to an original proposal that included a 60-day ceasefire.

Hamas, on the other hand, insists on a mutual hostage exchange involving Palestinian prisoners incarcerated in Israel, along with a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The group remains adamant about not disarming until an independent Palestinian state is established.

In a controversial statement, Netanyahu implied that Palestinians could choose to leave Gaza voluntarily, a suggestion that has drawn harsh criticism. Human rights organizations have condemned any notion of forced displacement, warning that it contravenes international law. Many Palestinians fear a return to the "Nakba," the mass displacement that accompanied the founding of Israel in 1948.

As tensions persist and humanitarian conditions in Gaza worsen, the UN has raised alarms about approaching famine and malnutrition levels reaching unprecedented highs. Following Hamas's recent aggression, which reportedly resulted in around 1,200 Israeli deaths and the capture of 251 hostages, Israel has responded with significant military force, leading to a staggering death toll in Gaza that now stands at approximately 61,722, according to sources within the Hamas-run health ministry.

Global leaders continue to criticize Israel's military actions as the situation in the region grows increasingly dire.