Israel will not let Hamas survive in Gaza, Netanyahu says
Photo: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Getty Images)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country has a chance to expand peace agreements. At the same time, he rejected any deal that would allow Hamas to remain in Gaza, The Times of Israel informs.
"We have already transformed the Middle East beyond recognition, and we now have a chance to bring a great future to the state of Israel, the people of Israel, and the entire Middle East," Netanyahu said before boarding a flight to Washington.
He also insisted that Israel will not accept a ceasefire and hostage release deal that lets Hamas stay in Gaza.
"We will not allow a situation that encourages more kidnappings, more murders, more executions, more invasions. That means one thing: eliminating Hamas's military and governing capabilities. Hamas will not be there," the Israeli Prime Minister said.
His statement came as Israel’s negotiating team headed to Doha for indirect talks with Hamas on a peace agreement.
Additionally, Netanyahu said he would thank US President Donald Trump in Washington for his support during Israel's 12-day war against Iran in June. The conflict ended in a "tremendous victory" over the Islamic Republic.
"For years, we feared what we would do about Iran and whether we could overcome Iran. Our heroic pilots have flown in the skies of Iran. There, too, for years, we were worried about what Hezbollah would do and how we could overcome it. We overcame it. We struck Hamas. This creates great responsibility and opportunities," Netanyahu added.
Another ceasefire in Gaza
Ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration in January, Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire. However, the peace deal collapsed in March, and fighting resumed.
Recently, Trump said Israel agreed to the necessary conditions for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza.
Later, Reuters cited a Hamas statement saying the group viewed the proposal positively and was ready to start negotiations immediately.
Meanwhile, overnight, The Times of Israel reported that the Israeli side criticized new Hamas changes to the hostage release agreement.
"The changes that Hamas is seeking to make to the Qatari proposal were delivered to us last night and are not acceptable to Israel," the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said.
For more details about the three key changes Hamas proposed, read RBC-Ukraine's report.
