Israeli Prime Minister’s statement comes after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s request for a “humanitarian pause”
The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will not agree to a ceasefire with Hamas until all Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip are released. The statement was made in speech televised and broadcast on the country’s government social networks this Friday (3.Nov.2023). In total, 240 people are held captive by the terrorist group, according to the Israel Defense Forces.
The statement was made after the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, defended the proposal for a ceasefire during a meeting, this 6th (3.nov), with Israeli officials, including Netanyahu and the president of the country, Isaac Herzog.
During the speech, the pause proposal was rejected: “We will not stop until victory. […] This means destroying Hamas, returning the hostages, and restoring the safety of our citizens and children,” declared Netanyahu.
The prime minister also declared that he will not allow fuel to enter Gaza and outlined his opposition to sending money to the area.
On Thursday (2.Nov.2023), the Prime Minister once again blocked the entry of fuel into the region. Israeli authorities justify that there is fuel in Gaza under Hamas control.
According to the WHO (World Health Organization), 12 of Gaza’s 35 hospitals are not functioning due to lack of fuel or damage caused by attacks. UN representatives argue that, without fuel, there will be no humanitarian aid in the region.
Israel claimed to have completed the siege in the Gaza Strip and is intensifying the ground offensive in Palestinian territory.
#Netanyahu #rejects #ceasefire #hostages #released