Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has toughened his stance by rejecting Hamas’ demands for an end to the war in Gaza. He said on Sunday (May 5) that if Israel stopped fighting in Gaza now in exchange for the release of hostages, Hamas would remain in power and remain a threat to Israel. British news agency Reuters reported this news.
Netanyahu said that Israel is willing to allow a temporary pause in the war to ensure the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Hamas is believed to be holding more than 130 Israeli hostages.
But while Israel is showing interest, Hamas remains steadfast in its hard-line position, the Israeli prime minister said. First, they want the withdrawal of all our troops from the Gaza Strip and an end to the war. They want to keep them in power. Israel cannot accept that.
He said Hamas would keep its promises by repeatedly killing, raping and kidnapping.
In Cairo, Egypt, Hamas leaders are meeting with Egyptian and Qatari mediators for a second day. Palestinian officials said talks have so far apparently made no progress, with Hamas leaders adamant on demanding an end to the war in Gaza as a condition of any settlement.
Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7. According to Israeli data, 1,200 Israelis were killed in that attack. At that time, armed fighters took a total of 253 hostages to Gaza. In response to this attack, Israel launched a counter-attack on Gaza on the same day. According to Gaza health authorities, more than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed so far in Israeli air and ground attacks.
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