Netanyahu: We agree to a 'pause' in the war for the release of hostages, but Hamas must be destroyed

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, said on Sunday to Channel 14 that Israel is ready to halt the war in Gaza for a partial agreement (not a complete agreement) in exchange for the return of some hostages held by Hamas. However, he emphasized that the war will not end until this group is destroyed. According to the Times of Israel, Netanyahu also stated that the phases of intense fighting in the Gaza Strip are nearing their end. These remarks come as Israel increasingly prepares for an open conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, which has intensified its cross-border attacks into northern Israel. This is reportedly Netanyahu's first interview with a Hebrew-language media outlet since the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7. In response to a question about whether he is ready to reach an agreement that would signify a commitment to end the war after the intense phase of fighting with Hamas, he said: 'No. I am not ready to end the war and release Hamas. I am ready to make a partial deal, which is no secret, that returns some of the (hostage) individuals to us.' He told the 'Patriots' program on Channel 14: 'But we are obliged to continue the battle after a pause to complete our goal of destroying Hamas,' and 'I am not willing to give that up.' The Times of Israel reports that Netanyahu's statements seem to contradict the terms of the latest ceasefire proposal and hostage deal that some of its details were announced by U.S. President Joe Biden last month. The Telegraph: Hezbollah has stockpiled Iranian-made munitions at Beirut airport. Washington expressed deep dissatisfaction with Netanyahu's criticism regarding the war in Gaza. The Israeli Defense Minister is on the verge of a trip to Washington: relations with the United States are more important than ever. The Israeli army claims to have destroyed a Hamas training complex in one of the Rafah areas.