Netanyahu rejects Hamas terms of hostage deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is rejecting demands he claims have been presented by terror-labeled Hamas to release hostages held in Gaza. At the same time, political pressure is increasing in Israel to bring them home alive.

– Hamas demands, in exchange for the release of our hostages, the end of the war and the withdrawal of our forces from Gaza, Netanyahu said in a video statement.

According to the Israeli leader, Hamas also demands the release of terrorists who participated in the attack on Israel on October 7, when around 1,200 people were killed, the vast majority of them civilians.

– If we agreed to this, our soldiers would have fallen in vain and next October 7 would only be a matter of time, says Netanyahu.

– Only total victory will ensure the elimination of Hamas and the return of all our hostages, he continues.

The pressure is increasing

Political pressure on Netanyahu to return the hostages kidnapped from Israel has increased in recent days.

Relatives have demonstrated outside the prime minister’s home over the weekend, while a growing rift between Israel’s military and political top echelons has become more apparent.

On Thursday, the country’s former army chief Gadi Eisenkot, a political rival of Netanyahu and since the Hamas terror attack a member of Israel’s war cabinet, said that only a new hostage deal could see the hostages return home alive.

Requires selection

He also said that elections should be held in Israel within the coming months, to restore public confidence in the Israeli government.

Israeli authorities believe 132 people held hostage remain in Gaza, at least 27 of whom are believed to be no longer alive. During a temporary ceasefire at the end of November, 105 people were released.

Since the war began following the Hamas terror attack, more than 25,100 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry. A further 62,600 people are said to have been injured.