In a series of recent statements, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich outlined their firm stance on the ongoing conflict with Hamas. Netanyahu, in an interview with TalkTV Special Correspondent Douglas Murray, emphasized that military pressure is the only method to secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. He also mentioned that Qatar has significant influence over Hamas that could be pivotal in negotiations. Smotrich, speaking to an Israeli media channel and during an interview with Israel’s Channel 12, has rejected the idea of a long-term truce with Hamas that would include releasing a large number of Palestinian prisoners. He further advocated for the establishment of a military government in Gaza, the expulsion of UNRWA employees, and Israeli military distribution of humanitarian aid to maintain international backing. Both leaders have dismissed the possibility of withdrawing Israeli forces from Gaza or releasing thousands of terrorists, with Netanyahu asserting that Israel's objectives include the elimination of Hamas, the return of all hostages, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. This follows the head of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, saying the group is 'open' to serious discussions on a potential hostage deal.
🇮🇱🇵🇸 | Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu: - Israel would not release “thousands of terrorists” as part of a hostage deal [following reports that a new hostage framework deal with Hamas includes the freeing of a large number of security prisoners by Israel]. - “ We will not… https://t.co/btW6PcecuV
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says #Israel will not end the war in #Gaza until it achieves "all of its objectives.” https://t.co/PHtIA1jnmg https://t.co/qQcdowXbXM
🔴 ISRAEL'S PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: ISRAEL WON'T TAKE IT'S ARMY OUT OF GAZA IN HOSTAGE DEAL.
BREAKING: Israel's PM, Benjamin Netanyahu, says Israel won't withdraw forces from Gaza or free prisoners. This follows the head of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, saying the group is 'open' to serious discussions on a potential hostage deal. https://t.co/uLfblyVM7H
PM Netanyahu: Israel will not end this war with less than the achievement of all its goals. This means the elimination of Hamas, the return of all our hostages, and the promise that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that #Israel would not withdraw forces from the Gaza Strip or free thousands of Palestinian security prisoners, pushing back against media reports on some conditions of a possible truce deal with Hamas. https://t.co/tp4mE2cYux
BREAKING: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu says he will not agree to release thousands of Palestinian prisoners and withdraw Israeli forces from Gaza as part of a hostage deal
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that Israel would not release thousands of terrorists as part of a hostage deal. https://t.co/ftqaJJV0zg
#BREAKING: Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu on a hostage deal: We Will not agree to remove the IDF from the Gaza Strip and we will not release thousands of terrorists. None of this will happen. What will happen? Absolute victory! And the elimination of Hamas
Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu: We Will not agree to remove the IDF from the Gaza Strip and we will not release thousands of terrorists. None of this will happen. What will happen? Absolute victory! And the elimination of Hamas
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Iran's militant regime only attacks Israel as its first target - and the US and the West are next - in an interview with Douglas Murray. https://t.co/N3ZhQEFVUt
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich: Gaza will be administered by the Israeli military administration for a transition period. https://t.co/cwbMvJdMed
🇮🇱🇬🇧‼️🚨“The only thing that gets to release the hostages is military pressure.” — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Douglas Murray https://t.co/qXF2dEeoju
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with Douglas Murray that Qatar’s regime has significant clout over Hamas and can influence the terrorist organization to secure the Israeli hostages' freedom. #Israel | #Hamas | #Gaza https://t.co/r6o4Mfh5Ge
Minister of Finance Smotrich: A military government must be formed in the Gaza Strip and UNRWA personnel must be expelled. https://t.co/sHWmETWDRV
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says he will not agree to a deal with Hamas that includes a long-term truce and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners. https://t.co/LEITyWaOGp
During an interview with Israel’s Channel 12 on Saturday, Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich said that Israeli forces will establish Israeli military rule in Gaza and distribute humanitarian aid themselves to “maintain Israel’s international backing”. https://t.co/aLHgo3YJ2X
Breaking | Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich tells Israeli media channel: "There must be a formation of a military government in Gaza and the expulsion of UNRWA employees from there." https://t.co/5qLBG5rutD
Benjamin Netanyahu tells Douglas Murray that Israel will go it alone to defeat Hamas 'monsters'. @TalkTV https://t.co/tT99kaQn2d
TalkTV special correspondent Douglas Murray says Israel is looking for an “international coalition” against the threat of a “nuclear armed” Iran. He says Tehran is the “prime threat” in the Middle East, with its ‘proxies’ creating destabilisation. @JuliaHB1 | @DouglasKMurray https://t.co/o6vlcQETCK
"For Netanyahu himself, admitting any political failure would be disastrous for him." TalkTV Special Correspondent Douglas Murray says Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu, was "reticent about his failures", during an exclusive interview. @DouglasKMurray | #TalkTV https://t.co/o3a5YBofkH
EXCLUSIVE: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told Douglas Murray: “The only thing that gets Hamas to release the hostages is military pressure.” @DouglasKMurray https://t.co/UC6pGQID6Z