Netanyahu offers Hamas leaders chance to live if hostages freed
Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel (photo: Getty Images)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the leaders of the Hamas group. He stated the conditions under which they could preserve their lives, as outlined in his speech at the UN General Assembly debate.
"So, to the remaining Hamas leaders, and to the jailers of our hostages, I now say: Lay down your arms. Let my people go. Free the hostages, all of them, the whole 48. Free the hostages now," he emphasized.
Netanyahu added that this is the condition under which they will preserve their lives.
"If you do, you will live. If you don't, Israel will hunt you down," the Israeli Prime Minister stressed.
Israel's operation in Gaza
Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, stated that the primary goals of the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza are to create conditions for the release of hostages and the destruction of Hamas.
"We will not relent and we will not go back - until the completion of the mission," he emphasized.
The Israeli army launched a ground military operation on Monday, September 22. Initially, it carried out massive airstrikes on the city, after which tanks entered the area.
The Israeli government noted that the operation in the Gaza Strip and in Gaza City aims at the destruction of the Palestinian group Hamas following the massive incursion by the Islamists on October 7, 2023.
On August 20 this year, Israel's Defense Ministry approved the plan for Operation Gideon's Chariot II. It envisions the capture of Gaza and the destruction of Hamas.
The decision was made as a result of unsuccessful negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas regarding a ceasefire and the exchange of hostages.
