The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahuhe reiterated this Sunday, after six months of war had passed Gaza StripThat There will be no truce agreement if the 133 hostages do not return home which remain in the hands of Hamasadding that Israel will not give in to the “extreme demands” of Islamists.
“I have said (something) clearly to the international community: there will be no ceasefire without the return of the abducted people. It simply will not happen,” Netanyahu said today in a speech before meeting with his cabinet, recalling that the administration American President Joe Biden shares your same opinion.
He added that Israel does not oppose a truce agreement and accused Hamas of “extreme demands” aimed at ending the war “to ensure its survival, its rehabilitation, (and) its ability to endanger again” Israeli citizens and soldiers.
“Giving in to Hamas’ demands will allow it to try to repeat the crimes of October 7 again and again, as it promised to do,” he said, calling for international pressure against Hamas and not Israel.
Just this night there is a call massive anti-government demonstration in Jerusalemin which not only the activists but also some relatives of the prisoners will participate they blame Netanyahu that he is more concerned with his political survival than with his people returning home.
Protest against Benjamin’s handling of the war in Tel Aviv. Photo: Reuters“Citizens of Israel, there is no more just war than this one and we are determined to end it with a total victory” Netanyahu said, as well as listing the three goals he has been repeating since October: returning the abductees, eliminating Hamas throughout the Gaza Strip, “including Rafah,” and ensuring that Gaza “no longer poses a threat.” .
According to Netanyahu, Israeli troops eliminated “19 of the 24 Hamas battalions, including senior commanders”, as well as having captured militants and “eliminated” the Al Shifa hospital, the most important in the Gaza Strip and now totally inactive after two weeks. of the Israeli siege and destruction.
“We destroy rocket factories, weapons, ammunition and continue to systematically destroy the underground (in reference to Hamas tunnels). We are one step away from victory. But the price imposed on us is painful and heartbreaking,” he said. a summary of these six months.
In Gaza, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Health of the Hamas government, 33,175 people have died, two thirds women and children. Furthermore, nearly 75,890 people were injured and around 7,000 bodies remain under tons of rubble.
Netanyahu targeted Iran for the October attack
Netanyahu also blamed Iran for the attack carried out by Hamas on October 7, which left 1,200 dead on Israeli soil and sparked the war, and urged its citizens to unite “in the need to continue fighting until complete victory ” in Gaza.
“This war has revealed to the world what Israel has always known: Iran is behind the attack on us through its proxies. And that’s a lot of attacks. Since October 7, we have been attacked on many fronts by Iran’s affiliates: Hamas (in Gaza), Hezbollah (on the northern border), the Houthis (in Yemen), militias in Iraq and Syria, and other attacks as well. he listed.
And he warned that Israel “is ready – in defense and attack – for any attempt” that seeks to harm it from any side. However, you recalled that this requires national “unity”; in a clear allusion to both members of the War Cabinet, such as Benny Gantz, and opposition leaders, such as Yair Lapid, who are calling for early elections.
“Right now, an extreme and violent minority is trying to drag the country into division. There is nothing our enemies want more. They want internal division and wanton hatred to stop us one step away from victory “said Netanyahu, who opposes the elections as long as the offensive in Gaza lasts.
“The absolute majority of the people are united in the need to continue fighting until victory”, he added, despite the fact that mass demonstrations have been taking place for a week demanding, among other things, the return of prisoners and the end of his government.
Source: Clarin
Mary Ortiz is a seasoned journalist with a passion for world events. As a writer for News Rebeat, she brings a fresh perspective to the latest global happenings and provides in-depth coverage that offers a deeper understanding of the world around us.