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Netanyahu Warns: Hamas Must Be Eliminated if Ceasefire Negotiations Fail
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stern warning that if the ongoing ceasefire negotiations fail, Israel will resume full-scale military operations in Gaza. The proposed 60-day ceasefire deal, mediated by global partners, hinges on Hamas agreeing to key conditions, including disarmament and the release of Israeli hostages.
No Future for Hamas in Gaza, Says Israel
Netanyahu reiterated that Israel’s objective remains unchanged: the complete elimination of Hamas’s military and political control in Gaza. He declared that Israel would not accept any ceasefire that allows Hamas to regroup or retain its weapons. “There will be no Hamas,” he said, ruling out the group’s presence in any post-conflict governance structure.
Hostage Releases at the Core of Deal
One of the central conditions of the deal is the release of at least half of the estimated 50 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas. Netanyahu emphasized that any meaningful ceasefire would only begin once these hostages are safely returned. If Hamas does not comply, Israel is prepared to escalate its operations again.
Diplomacy Fails to Break Deadlock
While the ceasefire plan has seen involvement from the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, talks remain at a standstill. Israel insists on Hamas’s disarmament as a precondition, but Hamas continues to reject this demand. Meanwhile, efforts to negotiate through backchannels have failed to yield any breakthrough.
Civilian Toll Mounts
Even as diplomatic talks continue, violence has not stopped. Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have killed dozens of Palestinians in recent days, while Hamas continues to launch rockets. The ongoing conflict has already caused a severe humanitarian crisis, with food, medicine, and clean water shortages affecting thousands.
As the ceasefire window narrows, both sides face mounting pressure from international actors. But with hardline positions intact, the possibility of renewed large-scale conflict remains high.
