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‘Hamas is demanding, in exchange for the release of our hostages, the end of the war, the withdrawal of our forces from Gaza, the release of the murders and rapists of the Nukhba and leaving Hamas in place.’
By Shula Rosen
On Sunday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement following his rejection of a deal that would return the remaining hostages captured on October 7th in return for a withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
He criticized the agreement because it would forfeit Israel’s goal in the war with Hamas–to eliminate the terror group and prevent a repeat of the October 7th atrocities against Israelis.
The Prime Minister introduced the subject of the remaining hostages in Gaza.
“Regarding our hostages, we have returned home – as of today – 110 of our hostages and we are obligated to returning all of them. This is one of the goals of the war and the military pressure is a necessary condition to achieving it.”
He added, “I am working on this around the clock. But let it be clear: I utterly reject the Hamas monsters’ capitulation terms.”
“Hamas is demanding, in exchange for the release of our hostages, the end of the war, the withdrawal of our forces from Gaza, the release of the murders and rapists of the Nukhba and leaving Hamas in place,” Netanyahu continued.
“Were we to agree to this – our soldiers would have fallen in vain. Were we to agree to this – we would not be able to ensure the security of our citizens. We would be unable to safely restore the evacuees to their homes and the next October 7 would be only a question of time. I am not prepared to accept such a mortal blow to the security of Israel; therefore, we will not agree to this.”
Netanyahu concluded, “The conditions being proposed by Hamas underscore a simple point – there is no substitute for victory. Only total victory will ensure the elimination of Hamas and the return of all our hostages.”
President Netanyahu mentioned that he spoke to President Biden who was pushing for an agreement negotiated with Egypt and Qatar that would free the hostages in exchange for the IDF’s withdrawal from Gaza.
Although the Israeli Prime Minister emphasized that he appreciated US support, he would hold firm to Israel’s “vital interests” and “our determination to achieve all of our goals in the war.”
He added, “Gaza must be demilitarized, under Israel’s full security control.”
“We are continuing the war on all fronts and in all sectors. We are not giving immunity to any terrorist: Not in Gaza, not in Lebanon, not in Syria and not anywhere. Whoever tries to harm us, we will harm him,” Netanyahu continued.
The Biden Administration has also been pushing for a Palestinian State and that the Palestinian Authority should rule Gaza at the conclusion of the war, a scenario Netanyahu rejects.
“My insistence is what has prevented – over the years – the establishment of a Palestinian state that would have constituted an existential danger to Israel. As long as I am Prime Minister, I will continue to strongly insist on this.”
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