Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this Sunday (21) that in the coming days his country will increase “political and military pressure on Hamas” to guarantee the release of the 133 Israeli hostages still held in the Gaza Strip.
“Instead of abandoning its extremist positions, Hamas is benefiting from our divisions and is emboldened by the pressure exerted against the Israeli government. Therefore, we will deal it painful blows and it will happen soon,” the prime minister said in a message from Pesach, the Jewish Passover.
Netanyahu again blamed the Islamist group for rejecting all proposals for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip that would allow an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, despite Hamas calling for a “final” ceasefire for months as a pre- requirement – something Netanyahu opposes.
Hamas' demands are an end to the offensive, the withdrawal of troops from Gaza, the return of displaced people from the north to their homes and the arrival of enough humanitarian aid to rebuild the enclave.
Netanyahu's message comes at a time when expectations continue to rise about Israel's possible military offensive in Rafah, approved by the prime minister more than a month ago, but which is opposed by most of the international community, including the United States. United States, Israel's main military ally.
The prime minister also sent a warning to Washington, after the American portal Axios published in the last few hours that the State Department plans to sanction the Israeli Army battalion Netzah Yehuda, for possible human rights violations in the occupied West Bank.
“I will fight fiercely to defend the Israel Defense Forces, our Army and our military. If anyone thinks they can impose sanctions on an Army unit, I will fight with all my strength,” Netanyahu said.
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