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BREAKING: Israel’s PM Netanyahu’s Office:
“We are currently trying to secure the release of half the living hostages and the fallen, in exchange for a temporary 60-day ceasefire. At the start of this ceasefire, negotiations will begin on ending the war permanently, meaning a permanent ceasefire.
To achieve this, the minimum conditions we’ve set must be met: Hamas must lay down its arms, Gaza must be demilitarized, and Hamas must no longer have military or governing capabilities. These are our core demands.
If these can be achieved through negotiations—excellent. If not, and negotiations fail within the 60 days, we will achieve them by other means—through the strength of our heroic military.
We’ve said the same regarding Iran’s nuclear threat. If it can be resolved through 60 days of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran—great. If not, it will be dealt with another way.
I hear the public’s questions, from soldiers and reservists: ‘Why is it taking so long?’ First, this is a battlefield no military in the world has faced. Thanks to the bravery of our fighters, the sacrifice of the fallen, and strategic ingenuity, we’ve dismantled most of Hamas’s military capabilities—but not all. Thousands of armed fighters remain. Our goal is to act through diplomacy and military strength, and if diplomacy fails, to complete the mission through force.
We also faced an American embargo—‘Don’t enter Rafah,’ ‘Don’t take the Philadelphi Corridor.’ These were not easy obstacles. We overcame them, and now we aim to complete the operation. I remind you that in recent months, as we’ve prepared and launched what may be one of the most remarkable military operations in our history, we’ve also been advancing within Gaza and recovering hostages, including fallen ones—never letting go of that mission.
They told us, ‘You won’t return to war.’ After the first ceasefire, we returned. After the second ceasefire, we returned again. Now after a third, they say we won’t return to fighting—should I go on?
I believe we’ve shown determination, strength, and commitment to achieving all our goals. Again, if demilitarization and dismantling Hamas’s capabilities can be achieved through negotiations, that’s preferable—but one way or another, they will be achieved.
I hear people asking, ‘Who decides the order of hostage releases?’ First, let there be a release. Until now, we’ve dealt with a cruel terrorist organization. Of course, we want to rescue everyone. To us, they are all humanitarian cases. I want to bring them all home at once. This is now happening in two stages, but the choice isn’t always ours. We will do everything possible to maximize the releases in the best way. Not everything is in our hands.”
Mike