Israeli Prime Minister dismisses Hamas’s demands, insisting Israel will not relent until victory is achieved.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly rejected calls for a ceasefire and an agreement on the release of hostages, reaffirming Israel’s commitment to continuing its military operations against Hamas in Gaza until achieving “absolute victory.”
In a televised speech on Wednesday, Netanyahu described Hamas’s demands as “delusional” and emphasised that surrendering to such terms would not result in the release of captives but instead invite further violence. He declared that Israel’s military campaign would continue for months, not years, and dismissed any potential arrangements that would leave Hamas in control of Gaza.
The remarks came after Netanyahu met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has been working to facilitate a ceasefire deal in the region. Blinken acknowledged that bridging the gap between Israel and Hamas would require significant effort.
Hamas had proposed a detailed plan, calling for the release of all hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including senior militants. However, this plan would allow Hamas to retain control over Gaza, something Israel categorically opposes, as it seeks to dismantle the group’s military and governing structures.
US President Joe Biden expressed that Hamas’s demands were “a little over the top,” but confirmed that negotiations would persist. Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict, which has already claimed the lives of over 27,000 Palestinians, continues to devastate Gaza, with many families displaced and facing dire conditions.
As the war drags on, tensions are rising, with Iran-backed militant groups launching attacks in support of the Palestinians, raising the potential for a broader regional conflict. Netanyahu’s opposition to any peace agreement that includes Palestinian statehood remains a major point of contention, especially as Blinken pushes for a long-term settlement that could involve normalising relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia in exchange for progress on the establishment of a Palestinian state.
