The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahusaid this Sunday that in the coming days his country will increase “political and military pressure on Hamas» to achieve the release of the 133 Israeli hostages who still remain in the Gaza Strip.
“Instead of abandoning its extremist positions, Hamas benefits from our divisions and is emboldened by the pressure directed against the Israeli government”said the president in a message on the occasion of the celebration of the holiday of Pesajthe Jewish Passover.
“Therefore, we will deal him painful blows and it will happen soon,” the president said.
Netanyahu again blamed the Islamist group for having rejected all proposals for a ceasefire in Gaza that would allow an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, despite the fact that Hamas has been asking for a “definitive” ceasefire for months as a prerequisite, something what Netanyahu opposes.
Hamas’s demands in the negotiations have not changed: the end of the offensive, the withdrawal of troops from Gaza, the return of displaced people from the north to their homes and the entry of sufficient humanitarian aid to rebuild the enclave.
Netanyahu’s message comes as anticipation continues over the possible Israeli military offensive in Rafahwhich the prime minister approved more than a month ago but which is opposed by most of the international community, including USAIsrael’s main military ally.
The prime minister also sent a warning to Washington, after the American media Axios published in the last few hours that the State Department plans to sanction the ultra-Orthodox battalion of the Israeli Army, Netzah Yehudafor possible human rights violations in the occupied West Bank.
«I will fight fiercely to defend the Israel Defense Forces, our Army and our soldiers. “If anyone believes they can impose sanctions on an Army unit, I will fight them with all my might.”, Netanyahu assured. EFE (I)
#Netanyahu #announces #increase #pressure #Hamas
