Netanyahu: Negotiations will begin

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement on his social media account regarding ceasefire talks in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu said, "I told the families of the hostages that we are currently working to secure the release of half of the hostages, both those alive and those who have lost their lives, in exchange for a 60-day temporary ceasefire. At the beginning of this ceasefire, negotiations will begin aimed at permanently ending the war. In other words, a permanent ceasefire."

Stating that "the conditions set by Israel must be met for a permanent ceasefire," Netanyahu added, "Hamas must lay down its arms, Gaza must be demilitarized, and Hamas must no longer have any military or administrative capacity. These are our fundamental conditions. If this can be achieved through negotiations, that is great. But if it cannot be achieved through negotiations within 60 days, we will achieve it by other means; through the power of our heroic army."

Touching upon the attacks carried out against Iran, Netanyahu said, "We said the same thing regarding Iran; the elimination of the nuclear threat. If this can be achieved in 60 days of negotiations between the US and Iran, that is great. But if it cannot be achieved, it will be achieved in another way."

Regarding questions about why the attacks in Gaza have lasted so long, Netanyahu stated, "We want to complete this mission, I repeat, through a combination of diplomacy and military force, and if diplomacy does not work, then through military force alone."

Benjamin Netanyahu also noted that the former US administration under Joe Biden had delayed Israel's entry into Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, adding, "Meanwhile, we are continuing to advance in the Gaza Strip and are recovering the hostages who have lost their lives. We have not relaxed for a single moment during this process, and we are not relaxing now. If Israel's goals are achieved through diplomatic means, that is good. But in any case, these goals will be achieved."

Commenting on the ceasefire plan, Netanyahu said, "I want to save everyone at once. We are talking about two phases here, but the choice is not always ours. We will do everything in our power to carry out this release process in the best way possible. But not everything is in our hands."

News Source: İHA