Jerusalem, June 24 (EFE) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he is open to a partial deal for the return of hostages held by Hamas but insists that the war will continue until the Palestinian Islamist group is destroyed.
In an interview with “The Patriots” program on the right-wing Channel 14, Netanyahu said the intense fighting in the Gaza Strip was winding down as Israel prepares for a potential conflict with Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
Asked if he was willing to reach an agreement with Hamas to end the fighting, Netanyahu replied: “No. I’m not prepared to end the war and leave Hamas standing. I am prepared to do a partial deal, that’s no secret, that would return some of the people to us.”
Israel was obligated to continue fighting after a pause to achieve “our goal of destroying Hamas,” he said. “I am not prepared to give up on that.”
Shortly after the interview, the Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement clarifying, “It is Hamas who opposes the agreement, not Israel,” in response to criticism accusing Netanyahu of wanting to prolong the conflict instead of securing a truce.
“The Prime Minister has made it clear that we will not abandon Gaza until the return of the 120 hostages, both alive and dead,” the statement read.
In response, Hamas insisted that any agreement must include “a clear affirmation of a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip” to prevent Netanyahu from continuing the aggression.
The Islamist group claimed that Netanyahu’s statements confirm his rejection of the recent Security Council resolution and US President Joe Biden’s proposals.
The resolution, approved on June 10, supported Biden’s ceasefire proposal, which Israel and Hamas have been negotiating under the mediation of the US, Egypt, and Qatar.
The draft US agreement includes a temporary ceasefire during which a partial exchange of hostages — women, elderly, and injured — would occur in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
However, a definitive ceasefire remains a major sticking point, with Hamas demanding it and Netanyahu refusing to consider it until the Palestinian group’s military and governance capabilities are destroyed.
Regarding the war’s progress, Netanyahu said in the interview that “the high-intensity war scenario is going to end…very soon.”
Families of the hostages criticized Netanyahu’s statements, arguing that “ending the fight in Gaza without freeing the hostages would be a national failure and a deviation from the war objectives.”
The Israeli anti-government movement Black Flags called for a march in Jerusalem on Thursday against Netanyahu, blaming him for funding Hamas, provoking the October 7 conflict, and failing to secure the hostages’ release.
The group blocked a road leading to Tel Aviv, stating, “the hostages are abandoned in Gaza, the north is burning, and another war is about to begin.”
Another group, Changing Direction, protested outside the headquarters of the Histadrut, the General Federation of Labor in Israel, demanding early elections and a general strike.
Of the 251 people kidnapped on October 7, 116 remain in captivity, with at least 40 confirmed dead, according to Israel, and over 70 according to Hamas.
Four other hostages from previous years are still held, with two confirmed dead.
Since the war began, Israel and Hamas have managed to agree on a one-week truce at the end of November, allowing the release of 105 hostages in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners. EFE
pbj-ssk