Beirut: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken a firm stance, declaring that there will be no ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Hamas until all hostages are released.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Israeli Prime Minister made his position clear, stating, “There will be no ceasefire, no fuel delivery for Gaza without the release of our hostages.”
In a televised address marking the one-month anniversary of Israel’s war with Hamas, Netanyahu also issued a stern warning to Iran-backed Hezbollah, stating, “It will be making the mistake of its life” if it opens a new front in the conflict from its base in Lebanon.
The Israel-Hamas war, which began on October 7, erupted when fighters from the Islamist group breached the Gaza Strip’s boundaries and entered southern Israel. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have reaffirmed their commitment, stating, “We won’t let Hamas win. We will rebuild our communities in southern Israel and continue living our lives.” The IDF has reported the discovery and destruction of 130 Hamas tunnels in Gaza, along with other underground infrastructure, including command centers.
As the conflict continues, thousands of Palestinians are undertaking treacherous journeys to escape the fighting and Israeli bombardments in northern Gaza. Escaping dirty conditions in overcrowded schools, Gaza families displaced by Israeli bombing are being forced to bathe and wash in polluted seawater. Israel has meanwhile tightened its grip on Hamas, leading to a dire situation for the population. The group claims it has successfully confronted Israel’s military, even destroying tanks and vehicles.