Netanyahu rules out general ceasefire in Gaza for the time being
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out a longer ceasefire in the Gaza Strip for the time being. "Without the release of the hostages, there will be no general ceasefire in Gaza," Netanyahu told the US television station ABC on Monday.
"As for tactical pauses - an hour here, an hour there - we can examine the circumstances to bring in humanitarian supplies and bring out individual hostages. But I don't think there will be a general ceasefire."
Talks about temporary ceasefires
Previously, Israel's head of government had already spoken with US President Joe Biden about temporary ceasefires in the Gaza war. They had discussed the possibility of "tactical pauses" to allow the civilian population to leave combat zones, to provide humanitarian aid for the people in the Gaza Strip and to enable the release of further hostages, the White House announced after the telephone conversation on Monday. At least 240 people - including US citizens - are still being held by the Islamist Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip.
According to Netanyahu, a general ceasefire would run counter to Israel's war aims. "It would hinder our efforts to free our hostages, because the only thing these Hamas criminals understand is the military pressure we exert," he said in the ABC interview.
- Despite previous discussions with US President Joe Biden about temporary ceasefires, the ongoing conflicts in the Gaza Strip have led Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to rule out a general ceasefire, as it would hinder the release of hostages.
- The Middle East is currently experiencing a wave of conflicts, with the Gaza Strip being a major focus of tension, as Israel and Hamas, the ruling authority in Gaza, are engaged in an ongoing war that has resulted in the detainment of over 240 individuals, including US citizens.
- Netanyahu's stance on the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, specifically his refusal to accept a general ceasefire at this time, can be attributed to his belief that military pressure is the only language that the militant group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, understands.
Source: www.dpa.com
