Netanyahu Refuses Partial Truce in Gaza, Declares Intent to Settle Hamas Dispute on Israel's Terms
In the ongoing intense conflict between Israel and Hamas, a new controversy has arisen following a drone strike in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza. The Israeli military claims to have killed five "armed militants dressed as aid workers" near a vehicle marked with the World Central Kitchen (WCK) emblem last week.
The incident occurred near a vehicle bearing the WCK's emblem, an international humanitarian organization operating in Gaza since October 2023. The Israeli Gaza District Coordination and Liaison Office has verified the information with the WCK, which confirmed that the vehicle has no connection to its operations.
However, no immediate comment has been made by Hamas regarding the incident. Similarly, the operations of the WCK have been severely limited by shortages caused by the Israeli blockade, making it difficult to determine the true nature of the individuals in the drone footage.
The footage showed several men in yellow vests standing near the vehicle bearing the WCK's emblem. They were not seen pointing their rifles at anyone, and no soldiers were visible in the video. The military states that the individuals were "posing a threat" to Israeli troops, though the claim has not been independently verified by other sources.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes that a partial ceasefire and hostage-release deal with Hamas is no longer possible. In an interview with Israeli broadcaster i24, he stated that the goal remains to end the conflict, defeat Hamas, and secure the release of all hostages as part of a single final agreement "on our terms."
Netanyahu accused Hamas of misleading Israel, without providing details. He also rejected accusations from opposition figures and former senior military officials that he was dragging his feet in the war.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has insisted that all hostages held by Palestinian armed groups, including Hamas, must be released immediately and unconditionally. The official also called for the release of Palestinians arbitrarily detained by Israel.
As of early August 2025, the conflict remains intense, with a significant concern over Israel's plan for a full military takeover of Gaza, which the UN's top human rights official has called to stop immediately. The UN has emphasized the urgent need for unrestricted humanitarian aid access to Gaza's civilian population, as most of the enclave's roughly 2 million residents have taken refuge amid worsening humanitarian conditions.
The Xinhua news agency reported Netanyahu's accusation that Hamas was misleading Israel, but it is unclear what specific areas outside Gaza City Netanyahu plans to target in the military campaign. The situation remains extremely dire, with tens of thousands killed and widespread destruction in Gaza, prompting urgent international appeals to halt further escalation and prevent atrocity crimes.
[1] Source: UN OCHA Situation Report - Gaza 2025
- The debate in political circles and general news outlets about the Gaza conflict has expanded to include allegations of misleading tactics by Hamas, as reported by the UN OCHA Situation Report, alongside concerns about ongoing war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice issues related to the Israeli blockade, and the future of peace negotiations.
- Amid the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Gaza, the restricted operations of the World Central Kitchen (a humanitarian organization) and the severe shortages caused by the Israeli blockade, as well as unverified claims of criminal activities by individuals, have added complexity to the politics of the region and international relations.
