Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that there will be no permanent ceasefire in Gaza until Hamas’ military and governance capabilities are destroyed.
His comments in a statement posted online came after US President Joe Biden said Israel had proposed a three-phase cease-fire deal in Gaza in exchange for Hamas releasing the hostages.
“Israel’s conditions for ending the war have not changed: destroying Hamas’s military and management capabilities, releasing all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel,” Netanyahu said.
“Israel will continue to insist that these conditions be met before a permanent ceasefire is established. The idea that Israel will agree to a permanent ceasefire before these conditions are met is not a driver of peace,” he added, according to Reuters.