Netanyahu's confusing ceasefire statement
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that even if a temporary ceasefire is reached as part of the expected prisoner exchange with Hamas, they will continue the war against Hamas.
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Prime Minister Netanyahu made a press statement before the cabinet meeting he was to hold to address the prisoner exchange deal.
Netanyahu said, “We are continuing the war and we will continue it until all goals are achieved.
We will eliminate Hamas, we will bring back all the hostages, and we will guarantee that no element in Gaza will threaten Israel."
Referring to the expected prisoner exchange deal, the Israeli Prime Minister said, “We have a difficult decision before us this evening, but it will be the right decision.”
Netanyahu stated, “Just as the war is phased, the release of the hostages will also be phased.”
REGARDING THE PRISONER EXCHANGE DEAL
The Israeli press had reported that as part of a prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel, it is expected that at least 50 Israeli hostages in Gaza, consisting of women and children, will be released in exchange for a 4-day temporary ceasefire and the release of at least 150 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
It was claimed that under the agreement, approximately 300 humanitarian aid trucks would be allowed to enter Gaza daily.
According to Israel, there are 239 Israeli hostages in the hands of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas.