In a firm stance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed demands for Hamas to disarm and for its leaders to leave Gaza, as he pledged to escalate pressure on the group amidst ongoing efforts to facilitate the return of hostages. Netanyahu indicated plans to implement U.S. President Donald Trump's "voluntary emigration plan" for Gaza, with his cabinet committed to maintaining pressure on Hamas, which claims to have accepted a ceasefire proposition mediated by Egypt and Qatar.

However, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri warned that Netanyahu's remarks could lead to "endless escalation" in the region. While rebutting claims that Israel is not engaging in negotiations, Netanyahu asserted that the discussions were ongoing despite active hostilities: "We see that there are suddenly cracks," he noted in a video address released on Sunday.

A day earlier, Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya indicated acceptance of a proposal involving the weekly release of five Israeli hostages. Yet, he emphasized that disarming, as Israel demands, remains a "red line" Hamas will not cross. As the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday began, Gaza health authorities reported at least 24 fatalities, including several children, following Israeli strikes. Nine individuals were killed in a single incident in Khan Younis.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Service reported accessing a site near Rafah that came under fire a week prior, recovering 13 bodies, including aid workers and a UN employee. Israel has not commented on the incident.

Since resuming attacks on March 18, Israeli actions have resulted in significant casualties and displacement within Gaza, with hundreds dead and many forced to evacuate northern areas that initially saw a temporary respite after a January ceasefire.

Netanyahu stated that Israeli troops would remain in Gaza until Hamas's military and administrative capabilities are dismantled, expressing readiness to discuss the Trump plan at any moment. Originally, this plan suggested relocating Gaza's 2.3 million residents to neighboring countries and developing Gaza as a U.S.-owned resort. Nevertheless, the proposal lacked acceptance from potential host countries, and Israel has since stressed that any departures would be voluntary.

Israel's campaign follows a devastating Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, that resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli casualties and the abduction of 251 hostages. Israeli retaliatory measures have led to over 50,000 Palestinian deaths, with tens of thousands left in temporary shelters.

On Eid, amidst the destruction, many Gaza residents, like Minnatallah Al-Far from Jabalia, expressed resilience in observing religious rituals under extraordinary adversity. Meanwhile, inside Israel, Netanyahu faces domestic unrest. Demonstrations have surged, uniting hostages' families and critics of perceived governmental overreach, as he dismisses criticism and insists that military pressure remains the only effective measure for securing hostage releases.