Fight until total victory: Netanyahu rejects Hamas's “illusory” demands

Fight till complete victory
Netanyahu rejects Hamas' “illusory” claims

March 4, 2024, 1:17 am

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The US, Egypt and Qatar have called for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Hamas and Israel demand it. Netanyahu clearly rejects the idea of ​​Islamists. He also could not say whether an agreement would be reached in a few days. It's too early for that.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has renewed calls for Hamas to capitulate ahead of talks on a new ceasefire in the Gaza war and the release of more hostages. “We are making great efforts to win, but one thing is clear to you – we will not give in to the illusory demands of Hamas,” the right-wing head of government said in a speech in Tel Aviv.

On the same day, another meeting of the United States, Qatar and Egypt, mediated by the United States, took place in Cairo, but Israel – unlike Hamas – initially stayed away. Israel initially demanded a list of hostages the Islamists still held alive. Netanyahu made it clear that it was too early to say whether there would be an offer for a deal in the next few days.

Fight till victory

Israel also wants to know whether Hamas will accept the number of Palestinian prisoners released in exchange for hostages, as outlined in the mediators' latest proposal. Media reports recently suggested that 40 hostages could be exchanged for every 400 Palestinians in Israeli jails. Netanyahu said his questions have yet to be answered. He rejects “international pressure to end the war” before Israel achieves all its goals.

With or without a new agreement, Netanyahu affirmed, “We will fight until we achieve total victory.” An impasse in the difficult indirect talks could complicate mediators' efforts to reach a ceasefire. London-based Qatari daily Al Arabi Al Jadid quoted a senior Hamas official as saying his organization would not allow itself to be forced to release a list of hostages. “There is a high price to pay for this in terms of easing the suffering of the people of Gaza and a comprehensive ceasefire,” he told the newspaper. According to US sources, the mediator's proposal only provides for a six-week ceasefire.