Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected Hamas’ offer for a 135-day ceasefire, complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the complete release of hostages in exchange for the release of well over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
After US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israeli officials, Prime Minister Netanyahu ruled out agreeing to the terrorist group’s demands.
“Giving in to Hamas’s delusional demands, which we are now hearing, will not only not lead to the release of prisoners, but will only lead to further massacres,” Netanyahu said at a press conference on Wednesday.
“I will continue until the end,” he said. “There is no solution other than complete victory.”
Hamas agrees to offer remaining hostages to prisoners, agrees to ceasefire for 135 days, criticizes Biden as “going a little too far”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs a cabinet meeting at the Kirya military base, home to the Israeli Ministry of Defense, in Tel Aviv, Israel. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, Pool, File)
The terrorist organization made an offer to Israel in response on Tuesday. previous term It was sent last week from Egypt and Qatar.
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Palestinians stand around a house destroyed in an Israeli attack in Rafah, Gaza Strip. (AP Photo/Hatem Ali)
“We are on the road to complete victory. Victory is within reach,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday. He claimed the war could end “within months.”
The three-phase plan, rejected by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, would have seen the gradual release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners being held in Israel, some of whom are serving life sentences. 500 people were to be selected from the Hamas list.
The male hostages, who were over 19 years old, were to be released after the first 45-day phase was completed, at the same time as Israeli forces were to withdraw completely from Gaza.
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Israeli troops move to southern Israel near the Gaza Strip border. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Notably, the agreement specifically names UNRWA, with Hamas demanding that the organization retain its role overseeing aid to Gaza. The request came after Israel presented extensive evidence suggesting at least 190 people were present. Hamas collaborator within the United Nations group.
Israel has previously said it will not allow UNRWA to continue operating in the region.
The deal also calls for a permanent ceasefire to be implemented after the third phase of the deal is completed. However, the Israeli government has made clear that the war will not end until Hamas is destroyed.
FOX News’ Anders Hagström contributed to this report.
