Israeli Prime Minister promised military action on the ground in the Gaza Strip was “only the beginning” of the war against Hamas, in comments at a press conference on Saturday.
“The war inside Gaza is going to be long,” Netanyahu said. “This is our second independence war. We’re going to save our country. We’re going to fight in the air, ground and we are going to fight and win.”
Netanyahu’s comments came after a meeting with the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a group representing the families of some of the more than 200 Israeli hostages currently being held by Hamas in the Strip.
Netanyahu has faced increasing public pressure to meet with the families, after they expressed “anxiety and frustration” that the “heavy bombings” could harm the hostages in Gaza.
Hamas spokesman, Abu Obeida, said in a statement earlier on Saturday that the group was willing return all the hostages if the Israeli government free 6,000 Palestinian prisoners currently held in Israeli jails, according to the Daily Mail.
“If the enemy wants to close this file of detainees in one go, we are ready for it. If it wants to do it step-by-step, we are ready for that too,” Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida said.
In a statement after the meeting, a spokesperson for the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said they wanted the Israeli government to accept Hamas’ offer and make the exchange.
Shouts of “Everyone for everyone!” could be heard from the crowd as he spoke.
Netanyahu said “every option” would be made to free hostages.
He said Israeli troops are determined to make Hamas pay for its actions on Oct.7.
“They are determined to eradicate this evil from the world, for our existence and, I add, for all of humanity,” he says.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) warned Palestinians to evacuate northern Gaza in a video released on social media on Saturday morning.
“This is an urgent military advisory,” IDF Rear Admiral said. “We urge all residents of northern Gaza and Gaza City to relocate south immediately. This is a temporary measure. Moving back to northern Gaza will be possible once the intense hostilities end.”
Hagari said the “impending IDF operation” was set to “neutralize the threat of Hamas with precision and intensity.” He repeated claims that Hamas was putting Palestinian lives in danger by hiding weapons and forces in civilian areas, including “schools, mosques and hospitals.”
No comments:
Post a Comment