Chicago – February 08, 2024
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected Hamas’ proposed cease-fire terms, stating that “total victory” in Gaza is likely within months.
He was speaking after Hamas issued a list of demands in response to an Israeli-backed ceasefire plan.
Mr Netanyahu stated that conversations with the group were “not going anywhere” and that their terms were “bizarre”.
Israel was anticipated to reject Hamas’ counter-offer. Still, this statement is a severe condemnation, and Israeli leaders obviously consider Hamas’ attempt to end the war on its terms as completely unacceptable.
Senior Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri stated that Mr Netanyahu’s words “are a form of political bravado” and demonstrate his intention to continue the violence in the region.
Mr Netanyahu also stated on Wednesday that Israeli forces had been ordered to prepare to operate in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where tens of thousands of Palestinians have fled to avoid the conflict.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cautioned that expanding the conflict to Rafah would “exponentially increase what is already a humanitarian nightmare” in the city.
Source – BBC
