Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will not accept Hamas’ request to end attacks on the Gaza Strip over a prisoner exchange deal.
In a video message he shared on his social media account, Netanyahu spoke about the negotiations and prisoner exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas.
The Israeli Prime Minister said that they are ready for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of Israeli prisoners.
Netanyahu stated that they were willing to negotiate a prisoner exchange, but that Hamas insisted on conditions such as the removal of Israeli soldiers from Gaza and the cessation of attacks, and that Israel could not accept that.
Stating that Hamas’s demands cannot be accepted, Netanyahu said:
“Agreeing to Hamas’ demands would be a terrible defeat for the State of Israel.”
He claims that Israel’s acceptance of the demand “would be a major victory for Hamas and Iran.”
“Israel will not accept Hamas’ demands that mean surrender and will continue fighting until all its goals are achieved,” Netanyahu said.
It is interesting that these statements of the Israeli Prime Minister come during negotiations on the exchange of prisoners in Cairo.
In a statement on April 30th, Netanyahu said he would launch ground attacks on Rafah, where displaced Palestinians in Gaza have taken refuge, whether or not there is a prisoner exchange.
