Israel’s defense minister on Wednesday threatened an escalation in the Gaza war if Hamas did not soon release hostages. Cease-fire negotiations between Israel and Hamas have been stalled, and the United Nations is warning that Gaza’s humanitarian situation may be at its worst since the conflict began. The defense minister’s statement comes as former Israeli security officials are accusing the Israeli government of prolonging the war at the expense of hostages. 

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/16/world/middleeast/israel-threatens-gaza-escalation.html