Benjamin Netanyahu vows ‘there will be no Hamas’ in post-war Gaza

The statement came as Hamas suggested it was “ready and serious” to the Washington-proposed 60-day ceasefire but reiterated that any agreement must include a complete end to the war and full Israeli withdrawal, demands that Israel continues to reject.

The US-brokered proposal, announced Tuesday by US President Donald Trump, calls for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and the release of some hostages. Trump said Israel had agreed to the terms, warning Hamas that “it will not get better — it will only get worse” if they reject the deal. He said Israel had already agreed to the conditions and indicated a deal could be reached as early as next week.

An Israeli official said the latest proposal includes a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces and an influx of humanitarian aid into Gaza, but Israel has not committed to ending the war, AP reported.

Netanyahu is also scheduled to meet the US President and other administration officials next week.

The war continues to exact a heavy toll on Gaza. Its Health Ministry reported that more than 57,000 people have died since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, killing 1,200 and taking around 250 hostages. Overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, another 142 bodies were recovered, with airstrikes continuing across the strip. At least 40 Palestinians were reported killed in Israeli strikes on Wednesday alone.

The Israeli military said it was investigating the reports but maintained that Hamas’ use of civilian areas as cover is to blame for high casualties.

More than 90 per cent of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents are now displaced, and famine looms for hundreds of thousands.