Hamas ceasefire demands mean defeat for 'Israel', Netanyahu says
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims that the demands put forward by the Palestinian Resistance for a ceasefire mean an all-out defeat for "Israel".
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convenes the weekly cabinet meeting at the Security Ministry in 'Tel Aviv', occupied Palestine, January 7, 2024 (AP)
The demands put forth by Hamas in the ongoing negotiations would mean the defeat of the Israeli occupation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a press conference on Saturday.
Netanyahu, addressing the media, stated that the Israeli regime would persist in its efforts until achieving what he termed as "absolute victory." He specifically mentioned plans for an operation in Rafah as part of the ongoing war on Gaza.
The head of the Israeli government emphasized the occupation's refusal to "yield to international dictates" for any future settlement with the Palestinian people. "Israel will not submit to international dictates for a future settlement with the Palestinians."
In response to a request from US President Joe Biden, Netanyahu disclosed that he had dispatched a delegation to Cairo. However, he clarified that this move did not signify any alteration in the ongoing negotiations.
Netanyahu asserted that he would respond to the demands made by the United States with a "yes" or "no" as he deemed fit.
Netanyahu said negotiations would only resume when "a tangible change" is observed. "There will be no negotiations until we see a change," he asserted, highlighting the steadfast stance of his government.
Settlers fill the streets of 'Tel Aviv'
This comes as thousands of Israeli settlers took to the streets on Saturday in both "Tel Aviv" and occupied al-Quds demanding that Netanyahu reach a prisoner swap agreement with the Hamas Resistance movement and hold snap parliamentary elections at once.
The Israeli protests, which have been taking place since the start of the war on Gaza, are calling for an early election as Netanyahu's unpopularity skyrockets due to his neglect of the Israeli settlers taken captive by the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza during October 7's Operation al-Aqsa Flood.
Thousands of settlers last Saturday took part in similar demonstrations in "Tel Aviv" and Haifa, calling for Netanyahu's resignation and for new elections to be held. They also called for leadership to negotiate a potential prisoner swap agreement with the Palestinian resistance.
Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that approximately 3,000 people are demonstrating at the "Horev" intersection in Haifa. Demonstrators were seen marching towards the intersection, carrying banners reading "Elections Now".
Israeli news sources further reported that activists and relatives of captives "blocked the Ayalon road and set fire to it."
No breakthrough in talks
Meanwhile, it seems that the negotiations are stuck.
The Israeli Walla! news site reported on Wednesday that the discussions currently taking place in Cairo regarding a captive-prisoner exchange deal between the Palestinian Resistance and the occupation entity were "positive," but no breakthrough was achieved
Citing US and Israeli sources, the site said the main issue remaining in the negotiations is the number of Palestinian prisoners "that Hamas demands to be released in exchange for the Israeli captives," especially the soldiers.
According to the sources, progress was made in understanding the gaps during the talks held yesterday. Subsequently, Qatar and Egypt will assess whether Hamas is willing to show flexibility in its key positions.
An Israeli official familiar with the meeting told the media outlet that "the discussions in Cairo between Israel, the United States, Qatar, and Egypt regarding the issue of the abducted individuals concluded without a breakthrough, but progress was made in understanding the gaps that need to be addressed to enter negotiations that could lead to a deal."
The Israeli delegation headed to Cairo yesterday to participate in the security meeting to discuss a captive-prisoner exchange deal with Hamas, as well as the military operation in Rafah.
No goals achieved
Over 120 days into the war, the occupation's military is yet to achieve any of its main declared objectives, primarily "eradicating the Resistance" and "releasing the hostages."
On the other hand, the Resistance maintains its strong presence in several fields, as it has been able to stick to its original demands for a prisoner exchange deal and even add further clauses in a recent response.
Addressing Netanyahu, Adina Moshe, an Israeli settler, said she is afraid that in case Netanyahu continued "along this path… there won’t be any more hostages to release."
Another settler, Nili Margalit, voiced an even deeper concern. She considered that "millions of Israelis and Jews are waiting for six people to make this decision," referring to the war cabinet, warning that if the captives are not returned; "everyone will know that they are next in line, that we live in a country that doesn’t worry about our safety, that doesn’t protect its citizens."
In his press conference, the Prime Minister said that reaching "victory" in Gaza will require "months" and not years, and this can be accomplished with the "military collapse [of Resistance Hamas]. There will not be a civilian collapse [of Gaza government] without a military one."
