Politics Report: Israel ready to increase pressure on Hamas

SDA

3.3.2025 - 07:06

Trucks stand on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing after Israel blocked the entry of aid supplies. Photo: Mohammed Arafat/AP/dpa
Trucks stand on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing after Israel blocked the entry of aid supplies. Photo: Mohammed Arafat/AP/dpa
Keystone

Israel is reportedly prepared to increase the pressure on the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip. In order to secure the release of all hostages, the Israeli broadcaster Kan reported that the next step could be the resettlement of residents from the north to the south of Gaza following the halt imposed on aid deliveries to Gaza. If this does not work, the electricity supply to the entire coastal strip will be cut. As a final measure, a return to war is planned, this time with heavy bombs, which had been withheld by the previous US administration.

Keystone-SDA

According to the broadcaster, the Israeli leadership has drawn up a corresponding plan for "maximum pressure" on Hamas in recent weeks. This is intended to pressure the terrorist organization to accept a new proposal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire agreement and release all remaining hostages in two stages. According to Israeli information, Hamas still holds 24 Israeli hostages and 35 bodies of abductees.