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Netanyahu accuses Hamas, says war goals remain unchanged
Benjamin Netanyahu claims that he accepted US envoy Steve Witkoff’s proposal for a truce and exchange agreement, but Hamas rejected it.
The Israeli prime minister said in a video posted online that his recent visit to Washington was “very successful”, hailing what he called a “major victory over Iran” during Israel’s 12-day war last month.
He rejected accusations that he has been obstructing the agreement, saying: “There are always those who repeat Hamas propaganda that I reject the deal, but they are always wrong. We accepted the deal proposed by Witkoff, and then the version proposed by the mediators, we accepted it, Hamas rejected it.”
Netanyahu added that Hamas seeks to remain in Gaza in order to rearm itself and attack Israel again, asserting: “I will not accept that. I will do everything to bring our kidnapped citizens home and eliminate Hamas.”
Netanyahu dismissed Israeli polls that show a majority of Israelis want a deal, and emphasised that the goals of the war in Gaza will not change.
Families of Israeli captives urge Netanyahu to accept ceasefire deal
Families of Israeli captives held in Gaza have accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of once again trying to create a “false impression” that reaching a comprehensive ceasefire agreement is impossible.
They say the government has “failed time and time again” in securing the return of captives due to “narrow political interests”.
“Over 80 percent of the people want an agreement that will bring an end to the fighting and the return of all the hostages,” they said in a statement. “Whoever sabotages such an agreement is acting maliciously against the will of the people of Israel for the sake of political survival.”
The remarks come shortly after Netanyahu placed blame on Hamas, claiming the group rejected the US proposal for a ceasefire.
