Netanyahu Rejects Hamas Hostage Supply to Finish Warfare in Gaza

[ad_1] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to ramp up navy strain on Hamas—regardless of the fear group’s provide to launch all remaining hostages in alternate for a everlasting ceasefire, <a onclick="_sendArticleBodyInlineLinkClickAnalytics('https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-armed-wing-says-fate-israeli-american-hostage-edan-alexander-unknown-2025-04-19/')" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-armed-wing-says-fate-israeli-american-hostage-edan-alexander-unknown-2025-04-19/" target="_self" rel="" title="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-armed-wing-says-fate-israeli-american-hostage-edan-alexander-unknown-2025-04-19/">Reuters reports .

In a late-night televised handle Saturday, Netanyahu dismissed the deal on the desk, doubling down on a military campaign that Hamas claims has killed 51,000 Palestinians for the reason that warfare started.

“Israel has no selection however to proceed preventing for our very existence, till victory,” Netanyahu said.

“Ending the warfare below these give up circumstances would ship a message to all of Israel’s enemies that abducting Israelis can carry Israel to its knees.”

Beneath the proposed deal, all 59 remaining hostages could be returned, together with Israeli-American soldier <a onclick="_sendArticleBodyInlineLinkClickAnalytics('https://www.thedailybeast.com/list-of-americans-still-believed-to-be-hostages-of-hamas-in-gaza-after-oct-7-attack-on-israel/')" href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/list-of-americans-still-believed-to-be-hostages-of-hamas-in-gaza-after-oct-7-attack-on-israel/" target="_self" rel="" title="https://www.thedailybeast.com/list-of-americans-still-believed-to-be-hostages-of-hamas-in-gaza-after-oct-7-attack-on-israel/">Edan Alexander . Hamas claims Alexander’s whereabouts are actually unknown, since an Israeli airstrike killed the militant who was holding him. His household, like many others, has pleaded with Israeli and U.S. officers to prioritize his secure return.

In a late-night televised handle on Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned that ending the warfare in Gaza would embolden “Israel’s enemies.”

This was Netanyahu’s first response since Hamas’ provide to launch all Israeli captives for the everlasting finish of the warfare pic.twitter.com/JGRfwuSe0n

— Center East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) April 20, 2025

Netanyahu didn't point out the American in his speech, however as a substitute signaled he has no plans to finish the bombing. Israel Protection Forces have been instructed to accentuate operations throughout Gaza, the place the Hamas-controlled well being ministry alleges greater than 1,600 Palestinians have been killed previously month.

The escalation follows a breakdown in ceasefire talks, with Hamas insisting that any launch of hostages should include a everlasting finish to hostilities—one thing Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected.

“Hamas calls for the whole withdrawal of the Israel Protection Forces from Gaza, together with the Philadelphi Hall, and the safety buffer that protects Israeli communities from Hamas terror,” he mentioned.

“It could show that terrorism pays, and that message would endanger all the free world.”

The Israeli chief’s stance pits him in opposition to rising home and worldwide strain to strike a deal. Critics say Netanyahu is prolonging the warfare to guard his personal political survival and keep away from having to reply to the bribery, fraud, and corruption costs he currently faces . Hostage households have accused him of prioritizing complete victory over their family members’ lives.

The speech got here simply hours after Hamas launched one other hostage video—this time exhibiting Israeli captive Elkana Bohbot pleading for his life. “How for much longer will he be anticipated to attend and ‘keep robust’?” his household have requested.

Worldwide efforts to renew negotiations between the 2 sides proceed. The surviving hostages have now been held by Hamas for 561 days, since they had been taken by the group to realize leverage over Israel as a part of the October 7 mass-murder assaults on Israelis dwelling near the Gaza Strip.