Friday Briefing: Hamas Targets Tel Aviv
Briefly

Following the collapse of a two-month cease-fire, conflict has surged back into Gaza as Israel expands military operations while Hamas launches rockets into Israeli territory. This situation has led to a familiar deadlock where Israel seeks the return of hostages and Hamas's military defeat, yet refuses to hand over hostages without assurances for its survival. Despite protests in Israel advocating for a truce, Prime Minister Netanyahu prioritizes passing the state budget, catering to right-wing lawmakers who prefer a return to war. Amidst these tensions, Trump's previous Gaza plan appears as a provocative suggestion rather than a firm strategy.
We're back in a familiar standoff. Israel wants Hamas's military defeat while Hamas insists on guaranteeing its survival to release hostages.
The cease-fire that collapsed this week was always likely to fall apart unless one of the sides softened its stance. Neither did.
Netanyahu's biggest domestic priority is to pass a state budget by the end of the month, needing support from right-wing lawmakers.
Trump's Gaza plan was presented as a provocative recommendation, not a definitive course of action, and he assures no Palestinians would be expelled.
Read at www.nytimes.com
[
|
]