Israel retains right to resume Gaza fighting: Netanyahu, cites support from Biden and Trump

"If we must return to fighting we will do that in new, forceful ways, Netanyahu said in a video statement.

By: Express Web Desk
Updated: January 19, 2025 05:38 AM IST

2 min read

netanyahu on israel ceasefire deal with hamas hezbollah

In this screen grab image from video provide by the Israeli Government Press Office, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes a televised statement in Jerusalem, Israel. (Israeli Government Press Office via AP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel is prepared to resume its military campaign against Hamas if negotiations for an extended ceasefire break down. Speaking on Saturday, hours before the ceasefire was set to start, Mr. Netanyahu emphasised that the truce is “temporary” and warned that any violations of the agreement would not be tolerated.

Addressing the nation in a televised speech, he said, “We reserve the right to resume the war if necessary, with American support.” He credited the military campaign with reshaping the region, stating, “We changed the face of the Middle East,” and claimed that Hamas is now “completely isolated”, reported by BBC.

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The ceasefire, mediated by Qatar, the United States, and Egypt, is set to begin at 08:30 local time (06:30 GMT) on Sunday. However, Mr. Netanyahu stressed that progress depends on receiving a confirmed list of hostages to be released by Hamas. “We will be unable to move forward with the framework until we receive the list of the hostages who will be released, as was agreed,” he wrote on social media.

So far, Israeli authorities have published a preliminary list of 33 hostages to be freed by Hamas in exchange for 1,890 Palestinian prisoners. However, officials say the names of three hostages to be released on Sunday remain unconfirmed.

Meanwhile, airstrikes have continued across Gaza, with more than 120 Palestinians killed since the ceasefire deal was announced on Wednesday, according to Hamas officials. The Israeli military said it has targeted Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters in over 100 strikes since Thursday.

Gaza’s health ministry, run by Hamas, reports that 46,899 people have been killed in the conflict since October 2023, with much of the population displaced and facing dire shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies.

This comes after the unprecedented Hamas attack on 7 October 2023, which left about 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage in Israel. Of these, Israeli authorities believe 94 are still in Gaza, including 34 presumed dead.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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