Netanyah says he refuses agreement ending the war in Gaza

In an interview aired on Sunday evening on the Israeli Channel 14, which is Israeli prolider, Netanyahu said he is willing to make a partial “agreement. This is not something secret that would bring back some of the people”, referring to about 120 hostages still being held in Gaza.

However, we are committed to continuing the war after a pause, in order to meet our intention to eliminate Hamas [the group declared terrorist organisations by the US and the EU]. I am not willing to give up this”, Netanyahu stressed.

Netanyah's recent comments do not differ much from what he had said in the past about the conditions he sought for an agreement.

However, he made them at a sensitive time because Israel and Hamas seem to be moving away from the most recent ceasefire proposal every time.

Netanyah's comments also differ greatly with the terms of the detailed agreement late last month by US President Joe Biden, who named the plan as Israeli and referred to some in Israel as the “Netanyah” agreement.

His comments could strain even more relations between Israel and the United States, his main ally.

The three-stage plan requires the release of all remaining hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. But there are disagreements and distrust between Israel and Hamas about how the agreement would apply.

Hamas insists he will not release the remaining hostages if there is no permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. When Biden announced the proposal in late May, he said the agreement includes both.

But Netanyah says that Israel is committed to stamping out Hamas and to ensure that this group will never again attack one on October 7.

The plan includes three stages to end the war with a multiyear plan for rebuilding Gaza, which has almost completely collapsed as a result of fighting.

Israel began the war in Gaza in response to an attack by Hamas in southern Israel on October 7, where 1,200 people, mainly civilians, were killed and some 250 others were kidnapped.

Israel says more than 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza, along with the lifeless bodies of about 30 others.

Since then, the Israeli war in Gaza has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, half of whom children and women, according to Palestinian health officials. / REL/