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HAMAS has said there is “no chance” of releasing the remaining 130 hostages after Netanyahu rejected another ceasefire deal.
The Israeli PM on Sunday turned down the conditions presented by Hamas that would include Israel’s complete withdrawal and leaving the terror group in power in Gaza.
AFP
AFP
Reuters
RexNetanyahu said: “In exchange for the release of our hostages, Hamas demands the end of the war, the withdrawal of our forces from Gaza, the release of all the murderers and rapists.
“And leaving Hamas intact.
“I reject outright the terms of surrender of the monsters of Hamas.”
In response, hours later, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said Tel Aviv’s refusal to end the military offensive in Gaza “means there is no chance for the return of the (Israeli) captives.”
It is estimated that over 130 hostages are still in the besieged Gaza.
Among those still being held by the terror group, there are two Brits, Lord David Cameron said.
Following the October 7 massacres in southern Israel, Hamas dragged some 250 hostages back into Gaza – 132 of whom Israel says remain in Gaza, including at least 25 believed to be dead.
A ceasefire deal at the end of November saw more than 100 hostages released in exchange for 240 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
Since then, Benjamin Netanyahu has been facing mounting pressure from the hostages’ families to reach a deal to secure their release.
The hostages’ families rallied near Netanyahu’s home in Jerusalem on Sunday night.
Gilad Korenbloom, whose son is a hostage in Gaza, said: “We are asking our government to listen, to sit down at the negotiating table and decide whether to accept this agreement or any other that would suit Israel.”
John Polin, also the father of a hostage, said Israelis serve their country and in return “we expect the government to ensure our safety”.
“We are asking the government to play its part, to propose an agreement, to bring it to a successful conclusion and to bring the remaining hostages back alive,” Polin said.
Israel’s Hostages and Missing Families Forum said they would remain until “the prime minister agrees to a deal to return the hostages”.
They called for Netanyahu to “clearly state that we will not abandon civilians, soldiers, and others kidnapped in the October debacle”.
“If the prime minister decides to sacrifice the hostages, he should show leadership and honestly share his position with the Israeli public,” a statement read.
Netanyahu has repeatedly vowed to continue the offensive in Gaza until “total victory.”
He said on Sunday: “I will not compromise on full Israeli security control of all territory west of the Jordan River.”
Last weekend, devastated families unveiled a massive mock Hamas tunnel to mark 100 days of the bloody war in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli artist Roni Levavi said he wanted to design the “the most faithful reconstruction” of the Gaza tunnels to “give an idea of what the hostages have been feeling for so many days”
It comes as Israeli forces discovered yet another Hamas tunnel, where 20 hostages were believed to have been held.
Chilling photos shared by the IDF appear to show cages, filthy mattresses and children’s drawings inside the terror hellhole in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis.
On Sunday Palestinian health officials said the death toll from Israeli strikes since war broke out in October had passed 25,000.
Gaza’s health ministry said 178 Palestinians had been killed in the past 24 hours, one of the deadliest days of the war so far.
AP
Israeli forces discovered a Hamas tunnel where 20 hostages were allegedly held
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