Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed on Wednesday that the ongoing conflict with Hamas would not conclude, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would maintain their presence in Gaza. Dismissing speculations in the media about a potential end to the war, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel's strategy to eliminate Hamas and transform Gaza into a non-threatening space for Israel would persist.
Addressing the ongoing mediation efforts by Qatar, Egypt, and the US for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, Netanyahu acknowledged progress in the negotiations. However, he clarified that Israel would not agree to a complete cessation of hostilities, stating, "We are working on another outline for the release of hostages, and that won’t be at any cost."
Active mediation discussions involving Qatar, Egypt, and the US are underway to secure the release of Israeli hostages. A month-long ceasefire is under consideration, with plans to release hostages in stages, prioritizing the elderly, sick, and women hostages initially. Subsequent stages involve the release of women IDF soldiers and, finally, all hostages, including male soldiers.
While Hamas insists on a complete cessation of hostilities, Israel, according to sources, has unequivocally rejected this proposition.
(With Agency Inputs)
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