Hamas condemns Israeli operation to seize control of Gaza City

Hamas has condemned Israel’s move to take control of Gaza City, denouncing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for rejecting mediation efforts.

In a statement issued on its Telegram channel on August 21, the Palestinian group accused Netanyahu of obstructing attempts to reach an agreement, claiming his refusal to engage with mediators demonstrated he was “a true obstructionist of any deal.”

Hamas urged international mediators to apply “maximum pressure” on Israel to halt its advance. The group said the operation showed that Israel was indifferent to the fate of its own hostages and intent on pursuing what it called a “brutal war against innocent civilians.”

The statement added that the campaign in Gaza would ultimately fail, “just as previous military operations have failed.”

The Israeli military has begun the opening phase of its ground offensive on Gaza City, Brigadier General Effie Defrin confirmed on August 20. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered troops to accelerate efforts to seize what Israel calls Hamas’s final strongholds, even as hostage release talks continue.

Defrin said Israeli forces already control the city’s outskirts. The army also plans to issue around 60,000 conscription notices this week, with another 20,000 later in the month.

By Aghakazim Guliyev