As the Israeli ground offensive continues to expand, Israeli tanks and soldiers are penetrating deeper into Gaza Strip territory. Israeli forces have advanced to the outskirts of Gaza City, where they have reached a major thoroughfare that serves as a connection between the northern and southern parts of the heavily populated Palestinian territory. Calls for a cease-fire between Hamas and Israel have been met with vehement denial by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He remarked that “now is the time for war.” Netanyahu, in response to criticism of his leadership and his position on Israeli hostages taken by the militants in the assaults on October 7, stated that battling Hamas in Gaza is the best approach to rescue the hostages. The militants had abducted the hostages after the bombings on October 7.
