Benjamin Netanyahu appears cautious about the prospects of success for Trump’s plan for the release of hostages, while reports from Israel suggest that Hamas may demand the release of its high-ranking officials. The Israeli prime minister limits himself to measured statements, noting that there is a possibility the Palestinian organization will proceed with releasing the captives.
Read: “Why are you always so damn negative?”: Behind the scenes of Trump’s conversation with Netanyahu and the American president’s “explosion”
Netanyahu’s warning to Hamas
In an interview with Euronews, Netanyahu emphasized President Trump’s stance, noting: “In case no agreement is reached, President Trump has assured that he will provide full support to Israel for taking decisive action against Hamas“. The Israeli leader added meaningfully: “Let’s hope we can resolve this issue the easy way instead of the painful way“. The responsibility for the next move, according to Netanyahu, lies exclusively with Hamas. After the potential resolution of the hostage issue, Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that critical matters such as the complete demilitarization of Gaza and neutralization of Hamas’ arsenal will be the subject of future consultations.
Netanyahu’s fierce attack on Europe for “surrendering to Palestinian terrorism”
Europe has “essentially become irrelevant” in the effort to free hostages and end the war in Gaza, Netanyahu emphasized. “Europe was absent because it essentially surrendered to Palestinian terrorism, to the radical Islamist minorities within it“, he argued regarding countries that recognized a Palestinian state last month.
“Ready to resume fighting at any moment” declares IDF chief Eyal Zamir
Meanwhile, the chief of staff of the Israeli Defense Forces, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, announced on Sunday to commanders in Gaza that they must be ready to resume fighting at any moment, as the military has stopped offensive activity due to pressure from US President Donald Trump to end the war “There is no ceasefire, but there is a change in the operational situation, the political echelon is taking the tools and achievements you have brought through military action and translating them into political achievement“, Zamir said during a tour at the westernmost point of the Netzarim Corridor, south of Gaza City, which was recently recaptured by the military.
“If the political effort does not succeed, we will return to fight” he warned, according to the Times of Israel. Zamir emphasized that “the campaign is not over. We must continue to be vigilant and prepared for battle at any moment“. “We must not forget that we have more war objectives. We will not allow Hamas to remain undefeated as a governmental and military system in Gaza. If necessary, we will fight to achieve this. If an agreement is reached, we will prepare and maintain control of areas that will allow full operational flexibility and return to any part [of Gaza] required“, he added.
“We hope to see all 48 hostages home soon. This is a moral and national imperative” he noted. During his visit to the Netzarim Corridor, Zamir also conducted an exercise with forces from the 99th Division, which are in the area, simulating a Hamas attack on a military outpost, the IDF announced.
