Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that the Israeli military will need to maintain ongoing security control over the Gaza Strip, even after the conclusion of the ongoing war against Hamas. This statement comes as Israeli forces make significant advancements in their pursuit to dismantle Hamas rule in the region.

According to Israel's military, troops have successfully entered Gaza's second-largest city as part of their operation to eliminate Hamas's grip on power. The conflict has already resulted in the deaths of over 15,000 Palestinians and forced a significant portion of Gaza's 2.3 million residents, around three-fourths, to seek refuge elsewhere. However, safe havens are becoming increasingly scarce for those displaced by the violence.

Health officials in Gaza, controlled by Hamas, have reported a death toll surpassing 15,890 since October 7, with over 41,000 individuals sustaining injuries. The officials do not distinguish between civilian and combatant casualties, but they have stated that 70% of the deceased are women and children. In response, Israel has asserted that it specifically targets Hamas operatives, placing blame for civilian casualties on the militants' presence in residential areas.

Efforts are underway by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, who mediated an earlier cease-fire, to negotiate a more extended period of calm. Hamas insists that discussions regarding the release of several hostages taken on October 7 should be tied to a permanent cease-fire agreement.

Amid the ongoing hostilities, the United Nations has revealed that limited humanitarian aid is only being delivered to the Rafah region in southern Gaza due to intense fighting. Cuts to the main fiber routes have led to a complete shutdown of all telecommunication services in the area. U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric expressed concern over the dire humanitarian situation, emphasizing the lack of safe spaces, insufficient shelter capacity, a struggling healthcare system, scarce clean drinking water, poor sanitation, and inadequate nutrition.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has also accused international human rights organizations of ignoring reports of rapes allegedly committed by Hamas militants during their cross-border attack on October 7. Although there are no known victims or sufficient forensic evidence to confirm the extent of sexual violence, witnesses and medical experts assert the occurrence of such crimes. Netanyahu called on the international community to condemn these acts and demanded that civilized leaders and nations speak up against this atrocity.

Families of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza held a tense meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu and his war cabinet. The gathering marked the first time the cabinet heard directly from recently released hostages, who shared their horrific experiences and urged the government to intensify efforts to secure the release of the remaining 138 captives. Reports from some of the freed hostages allege that Hamas militants subjected them to mistreatment, including sexual assault. However, these claims have yet to be independently verified.

As the conflict continues, the dynamics between Israel and Hamas remain critical, with both sides grappling with the devastating consequences of war. The international community continues to closely watch the situation, hoping for a resolution that could bring long-lasting peace and stability to the region.