Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has declared that any Gaza ceasefire agreement must permit Israel to resume military actions until its objectives are fully achieved.
While Hamas seeks mediators to secure a permanent ceasefire, Netanyahu remains resolute, emphasizing that Israel will continue its efforts until Hamas’s military and governing capabilities are dismantled.
“Any agreement will enable Israel to return to combat until all war goals are fulfilled,” Netanyahu stated on Sunday.
Five days after Hamas accepted a significant aspect of the ceasefire plan, two officials from the Palestinian militant group indicated they are waiting for Israel’s response to its latest proposal.
Hamas has retracted its initial demand for Israel to commit to a permanent ceasefire before signing an agreement. Instead, the group is open to negotiating this throughout the six-week initial phase, according to a Hamas source on Saturday.
However, Netanyahu insists that any deal must not hinder Israel from resuming fighting until its war objectives are accomplished.
Netanyahu mentioned that the plan, endorsed by Israel and welcomed by U.S. President Joe Biden, would allow Israel to retrieve hostages without compromising its war objectives.
Netanyahu was scheduled to hold consultations late Sunday on the next steps in negotiating the three-phase plan, presented in May by Biden and is being mediated by Qatar and Egypt. The plan aims to end the conflict and secure the release of approximately 120 Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
In Gaza, Israeli forces launched a heavy assault on Gaza City early Monday, with tanks advancing into the city’s core from various directions. Residents reported this as one of the most intense attacks since October 7th.
The Gaza Civil Emergency Service reported that dozens of individuals were believed to have been killed in eastern Gaza. Still, emergency teams could not reach them due to ongoing operations in Tel Al-Hawa, Sabra, Daraj, Rimal, and Tuffah suburbs.
The Israeli military stated it was conducting operations against militant infrastructure in the Gaza Strip.
