Israel Nears Victory in Gaza Strip, Netanyahu Vows No Truce with Hamas Until Israeli Hostages Released
JERUSALEM- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel declared on Sunday that the country is close to victory in the Gaza Strip and there will be no truce with Hamas until all Israeli hostages are released.
During a Cabinet meeting marking six months since hostilities began, Netanyahu stated, “We are determined to achieve total victory in the war, return all our hostages, complete the elimination of Hamas throughout the Gaza Strip, including Rafa, and ensure that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.”
He praised the achievements of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as “significant” but acknowledged the pain and heartbreak caused by the damage suffered by the country.
Netanyahu made it clear that there will be no ceasefire without the release of hostages, emphasizing that this is the policy of the Israeli Government. He welcomed the support of the Biden administration in continuing this stance.
Earlier in the day, reports surfaced that the IDF had withdrawn all ground troops from the south of the Gaza Strip, with only one brigade remaining in the enclave to secure the ‘Netzarim Corridor’.
This corridor allows the Israeli military to conduct raids in northern and central Gaza, restricts Palestinian movement in the northern part of the enclave, and facilitates the delivery of humanitarian aid to the region.
The developments signal Israel’s determination to achieve its objectives in the conflict with Hamas, with Netanyahu vowing to press on until all Israeli hostages are released and the threat from Gaza is neutralized.