A Hamas official has said there is “no chance” that they will free the 130 remaining hostages after the Israeli Prime Minister rejected a ceasefire deal.
Benjamin Netanyahu turned down the conditions presented by the terror group on Sunday.
He claimed that Hamas’ conditions to end the war included the IDF’s withdrawal from Gaza and leaving the territory in the hands of the militant group.
Netanyahu said: “In exchange for the release of our hostages, Hamas demands the end of the war, the withdrawal of our forces from Gaza, the release of all the murderers and rapists.
Benjamin Netanyahu shut down the possibility of a ceasefire
Reuters
“And leaving Hamas intact. I reject outright the terms of surrender of the monsters of Hamas.”
In response, Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas official said that Netanyahu’s rejection of the terms “means there is no chance for the return of the [Israeli] captives”.
Among those still held captive in Gaza, two of them are Brits, Lord David Cameron said.
In November, more than 100 of the estimated 240 hostages were freed after a deal was brokered between the US, Qatar and Egypt.
In exchange, 240 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons were released.
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In November, more than 100 of the estimated 240 hostages were set free
GettySince then, Netanyahu has faced pressure from relatives of the captives to set them free.
Yesterday, some gathered outside of his home to demand a deal that would bring them home.
“Do you know where your child slept last night?” yelled Shelly Shem-Tov, whose son 21-year-old Omer, is among the hostages.
Gilad Korenbloom, whose son is a hostage 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.”
Israel’s Hostages and Missing Families Forum said they would function until “the prime minister agrees to a deal to return the hostages”.
Netanyahu rejected Hamas' terms of a ceasefire
REUTERSThey called for Netanyahu to “clearly state that we will not abandon civilians, soldiers, and others kidnapped in the October debacle”.
“If the prime minister decides to sacrifice the hostages, he should show leadership and honestly share his position with the Israeli public,” a statement read.
On Sunday, Netanyahu doubled down on his vow to continue the offensive until “total victory”.
He said: “I will not compromise on full Israeli security control of all territory west of the Jordan River.”
Earlier in the week, Biden discussed with Netanyahu possible solutions for the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
However, the Israeli PM disagreed with the US president about Palestinian statehood.
His office said he “reiterated his policy that after Hamas is destroyed Israel must retain security control over Gaza to ensure that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel, a requirement that contradicts the demand for Palestinian sovereignty”.