Watch: ‘Total Victory Over Hamas’ – Israel Prime Minister Rejects Militant Group’s Truce Proposal
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel will persist in the conflict until achieving “total victory” over Hamas, in remarks that seem to cast doubt on the likelihood of a reaching a potential truce deal with Hamas.
Speaking at a televised press conference yesterday evening, Netanyahu said that “surrendering to Hamas’s delusional conditions”, which include the call for four-and-a-half-month ceasefire during which hostages would be set free, “would lead to another massacre, and to a great tragedy on Israel that no one would be willing to accept”.
Suggesting victory was “within reach”, the Israeli PM said: “There is no alternative for the military collapse [of Hamas]. There will not be a civilian collapse [of Hamas rule] without a military one.”
On Tuesday, Hamas had laid out a detailed three-phase plan to unfold over four and a half months, responding to a proposal drawn up by the US, Israel, Qatar, and Egypt. The plan envisaged that all hostages would be released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, including senior militants, and an end to the war.
Yesterday, Netanyahu dealt a blow to the hopes of Israeli families with the remaining hostages held by Hamas by stating that the hostages would only be freed through ongoing military pressure on Hamas.
What do you make of this recent development?
READ NEXT: Watch: Għadira Bay Symbolic Demonstration Demands Global Action to End Gaza Genocide
