Read below: Israel faces growing calls to bring hostages back alive
Time to negotiate with Hamas on hostage exchange: Israeli general
NEW DELHI — Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel will achieve “total victory” against Hamas, media reports said.
“Israel will achieve total victory after which there will be no entity in Gaza that finances terrorism, educates for terrorism, or sends terror,” Netanyahu said.
He said that Israel has brought 110 hostages and is committed to bringing them all back.
Also read: Biden becoming increasingly frustrated with Netanyahu as Gaza war hits 100 days: Report
“I am working on this around the clock. But let it be clear: I reject outright the terms of surrender of the Hamas monsters,” he said.
“I will not compromise on full Israeli security control over all the territory west of the Jordan [River]. As long as I am prime minister, I will continue to firmly stand by this,” he said.
Earlier, Hamas had demanded an end to the conflict, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and guarantees that Hamas could stay in power.
Israel faces growing calls to bring hostages back alive
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under intense pressure to secure the return of captives in Gaza, media report said.
“Relatives and supporters again rallied near Netanyahu’s Jerusalem residence for their return,” Al Jazeera has reported.
The report said that the Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum demanded Netanyahu “clearly state that we will not abandon civilians, soldiers, and others kidnapped in the October debacle.”
“We must advance the deal now. If the prime minister decides to sacrifice the hostages, he should show leadership and honestly share his position with the Israeli public,” the report said.
Gilad Korenbloom, whose son is a captive in Gaza, said: “We are asking our government to listen, to sit down at the negotiating table, and decide whether to accept this agreement or any other that would suit Israel.”
John Polin, also the father of a captive, said Israelis serve their country and in return “we expect the government to ensure our safety.”
“We are asking the government to play its part, to propose an agreement to bring it to a successful conclusion and to bring the remaining hostages back alive,” Polin said.
Time to negotiate with Hamas on hostage exchange: Israeli general
Israeli Major General Noam Tibon has said that time has come to negotiate with the Hamas group over a possible hostage deal to bring back the Israelis, media reports said.
“It’s time to bring them back otherwise, they will all come back in coffins or not at all,” Noam Tibon told an Israeli public radio station.
“We will have sent for generations to come a message to the citizens of Israel that they live in an insecure state, and a message to mothers who send their children to the army, that if your child falls into captivity, he will probably not return, and this is not overlooked, so it must be concluded. A deal now,” Tibon said.
Earlier, a one week ceasefire from November 24 to December 1 last year was observed between Hamas and Israel in which prisoners were exchanged by both sides.
On October 7, last year, Hamas attacked the southern parts of Israel killing at least 1200 people, taking over 200 people as hostages. Hamas also released 105 Israeli hostages during the one week truce between the conflicting parties.
Israel has killed nearly 25,105 Palestinians since October 7 while injuring 62,681– mostly infants and women.
Read more: Israel‘s war against Hamas will not end until complete victory: PM Netanyahu
