‘War WILL continue’ says defiant Netanyahu – as Israel ‘interrogates captured Hamas terrorists’ after truce deal reached
ISRAEL’S Prime Minister has confirmed that the “war will continue” as the IDF has been “capturing terrorists” and interrogating them for information.
The truce deal was improved within the last week because Israeli troops “expanded” activities in Gaza, Benjamin Netanyahu claimed.
In the days after the hostages are released, the war will continue, he said.
He repeated that the Israeli security establishment is “determined to follow through with this war” until Hamas is defeated.
Defence minister Yoav Galant added that the IDF is not going to turn back until they execute their plan to free and return hostages to their loved ones.
Yesterday, Hamas’ leader Ismail Haniyeh said it was “close to reaching a truce agreement” with Israel even as the bloody assault in the war-torn enclave continues.
A total of 240 hostages are being held in Gaza, including at least 30 children, according to the Israeli Embassy.
And following today’s approval, under the truce deal, a four-day halt in fighting was agreed as well as the release of 50 of the roughly 240 hostages.
After weeks of negotiations through mediator Qatar, the Israeli Prime Minister’s cabinet approved the truce today following a near-all-night meeting, in which he told ministers this was a “difficult decision but it’s a right decision.”
But Benjamin Netanyahu was adamant Israel’s mission remains the same and vowed the offensive will continue once the ceasefire expires.
He said: “We are at war and we will continue the war until we achieve all our goals.
“To destroy Hamas, return all our hostages, and ensure that no entity in Gaza can threaten Israel.”
It is understood Hamas has agreed to release women and children, but not female IDF soldiers they’ve captured.
The lull will be extended by an additional day for every 10 hostages released.
In exchange, around 150 Palestinian women and children will be freed from Israeli prisons at a ratio of 3:1, Sky News reports.
Israel has released a list of 300 Palestinian prisoners who could be released as part of the deal.
The majority are teenagers arrested over the past year for a string of minor offences.
Under Israeli law, the public has 24 hours to object to any release.
The agreement states that “immediately after the end of the pause in fighting needed to secure the release of the hostages, fighting will resume in the Gaza Strip in order to destroy the military and organizational capabilities of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza and to create the conditions for the return of all the hostages.”
Humanitarian aid will also be allowed to enter all areas of the Gaza Strip.
Aerial surveillance by Israel will halt for four days in the south of the Gaza Strip and for six hours a day for four days in the north.
Qatar’s foreign ministry confirmed the deal, saying that “a number of Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli prisons” would be released in exchange for the hostages.
It added that the starting time of the truce “will be announced within the next 24 hours and last for four days, subject to extension.”
Israeli media said the first release of hostages was expected on Thursday.
Foreign Secretary David Cameron welcomed the truce which he described as a “crucial step” and urged both sides to deliver the deal in full.
He said: “This agreement is a crucial step towards providing relief to the families of the hostages and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Palestinian civilians have been left fleeing for their lives as Israel attempts to destroy Hamas after the terror group massacred 1,200 civilians on October 7.
Families living in Gaza have been caught in the brutal crossfire, with regular accusations that the terrorists are attempting to use them as “human shields”.
Much of the northern part of the strip has been turned into a devastated warzone – with ruined buildings, dwindling supplies, and horrific suffering for Gaza’s people.
The Red Cross estimates that some 1.5million civilians have been forced to flee south amid the Israeli onslaught from land, air, and sea.
Figures for the death toll remain unverified – but Hamas’ health officials claim more than 11,000 civilians, including more than 4,500 children have been killed.
Israel disputes these figures – and US President Joe Biden said he had “no confidence” in them.
But Benjamin Netanyahu admitted Israel has “not been successful” in reducing civilian casualties.
But he said the deaths must be blamed on Hamas – not Israel.
And as the horror continues there have been growing calls for a humanitarian ceasefire to stop the bloodshed.