Hamas Leaders 'Will Be Allowed To Leave' Gaza If They Lay Down Arms: Netanyahu
Netanyahu's remarks came after Hamas agreed to a new Egyptian proposal to release five hostages in exchange for a renewed ceasefire after Israel resumed strikes and killed over 900 Palestinians.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu laid out new terms for the Palestinian militant group Hamas, saying the leaders of the group would be allowed to leave the Gaza Strip if they “give up arms".
Netanyahu said “cracks are emerging" in the group, and the military pressure on Hamas is working.
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“We are willing to discuss the final phase. Hamas will lay down its weapons. Its leaders will be allowed to go out. We will ensure general security in the Gaza Strip and enable the implementation of the Trump plan, the voluntary immigration plan. This is the plan. We are not hiding it, we are ready to discuss it at any time," he said during a meeting.
The development came after Hamas agreed to a new Egyptian proposal to release five hostages, including the American-Israeli Edan Alexander, in exchange for a renewed ceasefire. The group wants a return to the initial ceasefire terms, allowing humanitarian aid into the area, and an agreement to discuss the next phase of the ceasefire.
According to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s office, Israel has also responded to the Egyptian offer with a counter-proposal. “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conducted a series of consultations yesterday, following a proposal received from the mediators. In recent hours, Israel transferred its counter proposal to the mediators, in full coordination with the United States," the office said.
Earlier this month, Israel resumed its attacks in Gaza and implemented a total blockade on humanitarian aid entering the area, sparking concerns about the worsening humanitarian crisis. It warned that its forces would maintain a permanent presence in parts of Gaza until the release of the remaining 24 hostages, who are believed to be still alive.
According to Gaza health authorities, at least 50,277 Palestinians have been killed and 114,095 injured since Israel’s military offensive began in response to Hamas-led terror attacks on October 7, 2023.
(with AFP inputs)
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