Israel’s renewed ground operation in Gaza has received strong backing from the United States, with President Donald Trump indicating that efforts are being made to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. As Israeli forces continue their offensive in areas like Rafah and the Morag Corridor, coordination with the U.S. is seen as crucial in their efforts. Israeli officials believe that their increased military activity, with a focus on pressuring Hamas and securing the release of hostages, has been bolstered by a shift in U.S. humanitarian policy that limits aid to Gaza, diminishing Hamas’s control over the population. The overall goal is to push Hamas into compromising on a hostage deal.
As the conflict between Israel and Hamas intensifies, Israel has made significant gains in expanding its offensive and taking control of strategic territories like the Morag Axis. The IDF’s focus on dismantling key Hamas strongholds and tunnel networks is aimed at weakening Hamas’s operational capabilities and increasing pressure on the group to release hostages. The Israeli military strategy appears to center on clearing and holding territories known to have Hamas elements, while displacing Palestinians in the process. The decision to restrict Hamas’s access to aid is part of a broader effort by Israel to reshape the humanitarian landscape in Gaza and undermine Hamas’s control over the territory.
Despite ongoing condemnation from humanitarian organizations and international leaders, Israel has pushed forward with its military campaign in Gaza, with no apparent pressure from the U.S. to scale back operations. As the conflict continues, questions remain about how Israel intends to govern cleared areas in the long term. The lack of public pushback from the Biden administration may change depending on developments in negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program or if humanitarian conditions in Gaza deteriorate. The key regional development to watch will be how the U.S. responds to potential pressure from Iran to rein in Israel’s operations against Hamas.
With the conflict in Gaza showing no signs of abating, Israeli officials remain cautiously optimistic about the prospects of securing a deal for the release of hostages held by Hamas. As the military and diplomatic tracks converge, efforts to pressure Hamas by restricting aid and expanding offensive operations are seen as essential in pushing the group towards compromise. While the situation on the ground remains fluid and humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to raise concerns, Israel’s resolve to weaken Hamas and secure the release of hostages remains firm.
In response to criticism from U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres and other humanitarian organizations, Israel has strongly rejected claims of a blockade on aid to Gaza, emphasizing that significant amounts of aid have entered the territory. Israeli officials argue that Hamas has used aid to rebuild its military capabilities and exert control over the population, and assert that limiting Hamas’s access to aid weakens the group’s hold on Gaza. While international pressure continues to mount on Israel to ease its military campaign, Israeli officials remain steadfast in their commitment to push Hamas into compromise and secure the release of hostages through a combination of military pressure and diplomatic efforts.
As Israel’s military campaign in Gaza continues, the alignment between the U.S. and Israel on core issues remains strong, with both countries emphasizing the need for Hamas to release hostages and for Gaza residents to have greater freedom of movement. President Trump’s suggestion of a potential U.S. presence in Gaza reflects ongoing discussions about the future governance of the territory. While the path to a resolution remains uncertain, Israel’s determination to address the humanitarian and security challenges in Gaza through coordinated military and diplomatic efforts reflects a broader strategy to confront Hamas and advance its objectives in the conflict.
