Israel’s leader refuted reports of a possible truce agreement to halt the war on Gaza, vowing to finish the fight until “all goals are achieved”.
Benjamin Netanyahu is under mounting pressure from families of captives and the wider public to reach a deal. “We will not withdraw the Israeli military from the Gaza Strip, and we will not release thousands of terrorists,” he said.
Hamas’s top political leader Ismail Haniyeh said the group is studying the latest proposal for a truce but the priority is the “full withdrawal” of Israeli forces from Gaza and a long-term ceasefire.
Qatar and Egypt, which mediate with Hamas, have held talks with Israel and the United States in recent days. US officials said negotiators made progress toward a deal, including the phased release of the remaining captives over a two-month period, and the entry of more humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Al-Jazeera
