Netanyahu: Israel Will Not Agree to 'Any Deal at Any Cost'

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, stated at the beginning of his weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, February 4, that the destruction of Hamas is his primary goal. According to Netanyahu, achieving this goal is contingent upon three conditions: the destruction of the remaining brigades of Hamas, the continuation of cleansing operations, and the neutralization of the group's tunnel network. Regarding the first condition, he mentioned that out of a total of 24 Hamas brigades, 17 have been defeated so far. On the second condition, he stated that cleansing operations are ongoing through airstrikes in northern and central Gaza. Finally, he noted that neutralizing Hamas's tunnel network will require more time. Netanyahu emphasized that until Hamas is destroyed, all hostages are returned, and it is ensured that Gaza will not pose a threat to Israel again, the war against Palestinian militants will continue. Regarding the possibility of an agreement with Hamas for the release of Israeli hostages, he said: 'We will not agree to any deal at any cost.' He dismissed reports about Israel agreeing to the release of a large number of 'terrorists' as incorrect. Following the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and over 240 hostages taken, the Israeli army began its air, sea, and ground assault aimed at destroying Hamas. Israel is seeking the release of about 116 living hostages still held by Hamas. In contrast, Hamas is seeking an end to the Israeli military operations aimed at destroying this Islamist group and the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. The United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, Israel, and several other countries have listed Hamas as a terrorist organization. Israel: After the October 7 attack, we have attacked Hezbollah targets in Syria 50 times. Hamas has demanded the release of Marwan Barghouti as part of any agreement with Israel. The Israeli army: We have destroyed Hamas's rocket production facility; clashes in Gaza continue. The Israeli Foreign Minister: 'UNRWA is part of Hamas's killing machine and has no place in Gaza after the war.' Lawsuit from victims of the Hamas attack on Israel; we hold the Islamic Republic responsible. Netanyahu called for the closure of the 'United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.' The release of 35 hostages in exchange for a 35-day ceasefire; Mossad has submitted a hostage exchange plan with Hamas to the Israeli war cabinet. Water in Hamas's tunnels; mediators' negotiations for a ceasefire continue.