Netanyahu accused Iran “through its proxies” of being behind several attacks against Israel. (file)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday vowed that Israel is “one step away from victory” in the Gaza war and that there will be no ceasefire until Hamas releases all hostages.
He was speaking at a cabinet meeting marking six months of the war, which erupted on October 7 after an unprecedented attack on Israel by Hamas militants.
“We are one step away from victory,” Netanyahu said. “But the price we paid is painful and heartbreaking.”
Speaking as ceasefire talks with international mediators are expected to resume in Cairo, he said: “There will be no ceasefire without the return of the hostages. That will not happen.”
He stressed that Israel is ready for a deal, not ready to surrender.
“Instead of international pressure being directed at Israel and Hamas hardening its position, international community pressure should be directed against Hamas. This will advance the release of the hostages.”
Israel faced a storm of international outrage after an April 1 Gaza airstrike killed seven aid workers from US-based food charity World Central Kitchen.
US President Joe Biden called for an “immediate ceasefire” in a phone call with Netanyahu on Thursday and hinted at US support for Israel conditional on reducing civilian casualties and improving humanitarian conditions.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu accused Iran “through its proxies” of being behind several attacks against Israel.
“Whoever hurts us or plans to hurt us — we will hurt him. We practice this principle at all times and in recent days,” Netanyahu added.
Fears of war in Gaza have intensified after Iran vowed to retaliate after Monday's airstrike on its embassy's diplomatic compound in Damascus killed seven Revolutionary Guards.
Iran's leaders have vowed to retaliate, and Hassan Nasrallah, head of Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah movement, called the embassy strike a “turning point.”
(Other than the headline, this story was not edited by NDTV staff and was published from a syndicated feed.)
