While Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Israeli citizens on Monday night, inviting them to ask about plans to expand military operations in Gaza “without the media’s filters,” Hamas pleaded with world leaders to pressure Israel to back down. The terror group’s request was likely directed specifically toward European governments, which have largely kept their backs turned to Israel since the October 7th pogrom.
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) May 5, 2025
The European Union has condemned Israel’s plan to take control of the Gaza Strip in its entirety—which Netanyahu believes is the best way to rescue or recover the remaining hostages—saying on Monday it was “concerned” the operation “will result in further casualties and suffering for the Palestinian population.”
We urge Israel to exercise the utmost restraint.
On a national level too, France’s foreign minister said on Tuesday that Paris “very strongly” condemns Israel’s new military campaign, suggesting even that the Israeli government could be acting “in violation of humanitarian law.”
And in Britain, a spokesman for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he expressed “deep concern” about the developments and that he believes “a renewed peace process was required.”
But Hamas—which hailed the Houthi strike on Israel’s main airport—has already made it clear it does not want a renewed peace process. It has called on world leaders to pressure Israel to end the “crimes of hunger, thirst, and killings,” also warning that it sees no point in peace talks “as long as the hunger war and extermination war continue in the Gaza Strip.”
Israel, for its part, has also approved the “possibility of humanitarian distribution” in Gaza “to prevent Hamas from taking control of the supplies and to destroy its governance capabilities.” Officials also said “there is currently enough food in Gaza.”
America’s establishment press is also working to suggest that Netanyahu’s next steps are against Donald Trump’s wishes because—as The New York Timesput it—they serve as a reminder for the president “that he has failed to deliver the peace he promised.” That’s despite Trump’s own warning before the ceasefire broke down that if Hamas failed to release all the remaining hostages, “all hell will break loose.”
Trump will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates from May 13th to 15th. Israel has offered Hamas one last chance, saying it will “allow a window” for a hostage deal until this visit ends.
Michael Curzon is a news writer for europeanconservative.com based in England’s Midlands. He is also Editor of Bournbrook Magazine, which he founded in 2019, and previously wrote for London’s Express Online. His Twitter handle is @MichaelCurzon_.
