Israeli chief says future ceasefire negotiations will ‘solely happen below hearth’.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned {that a} wave of air strikes that killed a whole bunch of Palestinians in Gaza in a single day is “solely the start”.
In a televised tackle on Tuesday night, Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces would strike Hamas with “growing power” and future ceasefire negotiations would “solely happen below hearth”.
“Hamas has already felt the load of our power within the final 24 hours, and I wish to guarantee you – and them – that is solely the start,” the Israeli chief stated.
“We’ll proceed to battle to realize all our targets of the conflict – the discharge of all our hostages, the elimination of Hamas, and the promise that Gaza will not pose a risk to Israel.”
Netanyahu’s defiant remarks come after Israel’s lethal assaults throughout Gaza shattered the fragile ceasefire with Hamas that started on January 19.
The air strikes killed at least 404 Palestinians, a lot of them youngsters, and wounded greater than 560 others, in line with Gaza’s Ministry of Well being.
The assault focused broad swaths of Gaza, together with Khan Younis and Rafah within the south, Gaza Metropolis within the north, and central areas like Deir el-Balah, wiping out complete households within the course of.
Talks on the second stage of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, which might see the discharge of almost 60 remaining Hamas captives and the institution of a everlasting ceasefire, have been at an deadlock over Israel’s insistence that the first phase be extended till mid-April.
Israel final week rejected a proposal by Hamas to launch an American-Israeli twin nationwide and the our bodies of 4 lifeless captives in change for the beginning of second part talks and an finish to the Israeli blockade imposed earlier this month.
Hamas has launched about three dozen captives in change for almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners because the begin of the ceasefire, which had been in limbo since March 1, when the six-week-long first stage expired.
Earlier than Israel’s assault, United States President Donald Trump’s US Center East envoy, Steve Witkoff, had been pushing for a “bridge” proposal to increase the ceasefire past Ramadan and Passover.
Underneath the proposal, Hamas would have launched further dwelling captives in change for prisoners whereas the edges labored on a framework for a everlasting ceasefire.
In his tackle on Tuesday, Netanyahu positioned the blame for the dearth of progress within the talks squarely on Hamas.
“Whereas Israel accepted the supply of President Trump’s particular envoy, Steve Witkoff, Hamas flatly refused to take action,” Netanyahu stated. “Because of this I authorised yesterday the renewal of navy motion in opposition to Hamas.”
Netanyahu additionally accused Hamas of being chargeable for “all unintended casualties” in Gaza.
“Palestinian civilians ought to keep away from any contact with Hamas terrorists, and I name on the folks of Gaza, get out of hurt’s manner,” he stated.
“Transfer to safer areas. As a result of each civilian casualty is a tragedy and each civilian casualty is the fault of Hamas.”
