Israel war nears 100 days, Netanyahu vows 'until the end, until total victory’

Israel persists in its belligerent approach, continuing the bombardment of Gaza as the war nears 100 days, with over 23,000 Palestinians having lost their lives, many experiencing forced displacement, leaving Gaza desolate since Hamas's October 7 attack that claimed 1,200 casualties, and 240 people are still held hostage.

Despite a 100-minute pause in the working day and rallies demanding the release of hostages, anxiety continues to grip the nation.

While normalcy slowly returns to cities like Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, numerous shops and restaurants remain closed, and hundreds of thousands of reservists are still mobilized. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a televised address, asserted that the war against Hamas would persist "until the end, until total victory."

He outlined three key objectives: eliminating Hamas, securing the return of all hostages, and ensuring Gaza poses no future threat to Israel.

Recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have intensified the conflict. One strike in the Daraj neighbourhood of Gaza City claimed at least 20 lives, according to civil defence spokesperson Mahmoud Bassal. Another airstrike near Rafah, a southern city filled with displaced families, resulted in at least 13 deaths, including two children.

Attention in Israel is also focused on the hostages still held by Hamas and Palestine Islamic Jihad. Thousands attended a 24-hour rally in Tel Aviv, despite heavy rain, demanding the return of over 130 individuals held captive after a truce in November.

The challenge for Israel lies in reconciling its dual war aims: crushing Hamas and freeing the hostages. Some, like commentator Sima Kadmon, argue that neither objective seems achievable. Former head of military intelligence Amos Yadlin suggests that the initial belief that military pressure would force Hamas to release hostages may no longer be justified.

Netanyahu, however, remains resolute. In his address, he dismissed doubts, insisting that the goals are possible, necessary, and will be achieved. He even hinted at a potential expansion of Israel's campaign in Gaza, emphasizing the need to close the smuggling tunnels running the length of Gaza's border with Egypt.

The situation remains grim in the occupied West Bank, where continual military raids on Palestinian towns and cities have led to the death of 333 Palestinians since October 7th, including 84 children.

Israel argues that these measures are necessary to prevent terrorist attacks. In the same period, five Israelis, including four members of the security forces, were killed in Palestinian attacks.

As the conflict enters its 100th day, Netanyahu's political future hinges on convincing voters that he was not personally responsible for the failures preceding the Hamas attack and that he has achieved his declared war aims.

The nation remains divided between those prioritizing the return of hostages and those focused on the effort to destroy Hamas, reflecting the fractures within Israel's ruling coalition. With over 185 Israeli soldiers now lost in the offensive, the toll on both sides is evident, but a clear resolution to the conflict remains elusive.