13.05.2025 18:04
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that if Hamas releases some hostages, they will be taken, but the attacks on Gaza will continue. Netanyahu said, "Our forces are ready; we will attack Gaza at full capacity. We may implement a temporary ceasefire, but we will go all the way."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that "they will accept the release of some hostages by Hamas, but there will be no situation in which they will cease their attacks on Gaza."
NETANYAHU: WE WILL COMPLETE OUR EFFORT TO ELIMINATE HAMAS
According to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, Netanyahu spoke at an event attended by injured members of the Israeli army. In his speech, Netanyahu said, "In the very near future, we will complete our effort to defeat and eliminate Hamas with all our strength. If Hamas says, 'we are releasing ten hostages,' we will take them, and then we will attack, but there will be no situation in which we will end the war."
"WE WILL ATTACK GAZA WITH FULL CAPACITY"
Netanyahu stated that they will not refrain from attacking Gaza, saying, "Our forces are ready; we will attack Gaza with full capacity. We may temporarily agree to a ceasefire, but we will go to the end."
"WE NEED COUNTRIES TO ACCEPT PALESTINIANS"
Referring to the plan presented by U.S. President Donald Trump to relocate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to other countries, Netanyahu claimed that 50% of Palestinians in Gaza want to leave, stating that "they have a single problem, that they need countries to accept Palestinians, and they are working on this."
Netanyahu's remarks came after Hamas agreed to release Idan Alexander, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen soldier held in Gaza, following negotiations with the U.S. to reach a compromise. After a meeting with Netanyahu, U.S. Special Representative for the Middle East Steve Witkoff decided to send a delegation from the Israeli government to Doha, the capital of Qatar, to participate in indirect talks with Hamas for a ceasefire and mutual prisoner exchange negotiations.
HUMANITARIAN AID ENTRIES TO GAZA WILL BEGIN IN EXCHANGE FOR 10 HOSTAGES
According to reports in the Israeli press, the new draft presented by U.S. Representative Witkoff indicates that humanitarian aid will begin to enter Gaza in exchange for the release of ten hostages by Hamas, and a temporary ceasefire lasting between 70 to 90 days may be established.
ISRAEL REJECTS A PERMANENT CEASEFIRE
Israel rejects any negotiations to end the war in Gaza and to establish a permanent ceasefire. However, according to reports, Hamas is demanding a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the facilitation of humanitarian aid entry, and is accepting the administration of Gaza to be left to an independent technocratic structure.
HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN GAZA DEEPENS
The Israeli security cabinet presented a plan last week stating that the Israeli army would permanently occupy large areas in Gaza, that Palestinians would be relocated to specific points under fire, and that humanitarian aid would be provided by private companies. Criticism has come from world capitals, including Turkey, the United Nations, and international human rights organizations, stating that Israel's new plan would further deepen the humanitarian disaster in Gaza.
In addition to the ongoing attacks on the Gaza Strip for 19 months, Israel has been blocking humanitarian aid entries since March 2. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 57 children have died due to malnutrition as a result of the blockade on aid, and if the situation continues, 71,000 children will face the risk of acute malnutrition in the next 11 months.