TEL AVIV, Israel (NewsNation) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected Hamas‘ conditions for a hostage deal, which would include a total cease-fire and pulling Israeli forces out of Gaza.
Families of hostages protested outside Netanyahu’s residence, urging the Israeli government to take more action to bring their loved ones home. They fear Israel’s military activity has further endangered the lives of hostages.
Despite ongoing negotiations, Hamas’s demands for a cease-fire, Israeli forces’ withdrawal and the release of Palestinians held by Israel in exchange for the remaining hostages, Netanyahu said these terms are unacceptable. He said their main objective is to destroy Hamas and get hostages back. Additionally, Netanyahu expressed his disinterest in a two-state solution with Palestine.
“Gaza must be demilitarized and under the full security control of the state of Israel. I will not compromise on full Israeli security control over all the territory west of Jordan,” Netanyahu said.
Despite this, European Union ministers meet in Brussels on Monday to discuss the prospects of a two-state solution and the necessary steps for achieving lasting peace in the region. Notably, Israeli allies like the U.S. and the United Kingdom asserted their belief that a two-state solution remains the sole long-term option.
“Which other route is there to seriously resolve this? Palestinians deserve a sovereign state, Israel deserves to have the full ability to defend itself, its own security, in other words, and unless you pursue a two-state solution, I really don’t see that there is another solution,” said UK Defense Minister Grant Shapps.
Netanyahu argues against having a two-state solution for the security of the Israelis.
