Netanyahu rejects Hamas conditions for Israeli hostage deal; Hamas has a warning 

Netanyahu rejects Hamas conditions for Israeli hostage deal; Hamas has a warning 

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday rejected Hamas’ conditions for ending the war and releasing hostages, which included demands for Israel’s complete withdrawal and leaving Hamas in power in Gaza.

As Israeli planes resumed bombing Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters that Netanyahu’s refusal to end the military offensive in Gaza “means there is no chance for the return of the (Israeli) captives.”

Under increasing pressure to secure the release of hostages, Netanyahu stated that Hamas’ demands, such as withdrawing Israeli forces from Gaza, releasing all prisoners, and leaving Hamas intact, were unacceptable. He said, “I reject outright the terms of surrender of the monsters of Hamas.”  

On Sunday evening, family members of hostages began a protest outside Netanyahu’s private home in Jerusalem. Israel’s Hostages and Missing Families Forum stated that the protest would continue until “the prime minister agrees to a deal to return the hostages.”

Despite a previous deal brokered in late November by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, involving the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, attempts to secure another ceasefire have failed.

Netanyahu has repeatedly pledged to continue the offensive in Gaza until “total victory”. In his statement on Sunday, Netanyahu also repeated his strong statement on Palestinian statehood. “I will not compromise on full Israeli security control of all territory west of the Jordan River,” he said. 

On the previous day, he rejected Joe Biden’s call for a Palestinian state after the war, stating that Israel must retain security control over Gaza to prevent any threat to the country.

At least 25,105 people have been killed and 62,681 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. The death toll in Israel from the October 7 Hamas attack stands at 1,139. (Outlook)