(TheLastPatriotNews.com) – Teaching a new lesson in firmness, Israeli’s conservative leader Benjamin Netanyahu has defied ceasefire proposals for the Gaza Strip by the Palestinian Arab Islamist terrorist group Hamas, which attacked the Jewish State on October 7 and massacred sadistically over 1,400 people.
In comments on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu called Hamas’s condition for a ceasefire “delusional.”
He spoke after a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who had expressed optimism that an agreement with Hamas could still be reached.
Israel has been conducting a massive anti-terrorist military operation in Gaza in retaliation for the October 7 invasion.
Netanyahu told a press conference in Tel Aviv that Israel would not accept Hamas’s demands for a four-and-a-half-month truce in exchange for the release of the remaining 136 hostages, who were kidnapped on October 7.
He emphasized that Israeli forces would continue their operations in Gaza to secure an “absolute victory” in the conflict.
“Surrendering to Hamas’ delusional demands that we heard now not only won’t lead to freeing the captives, it will just invite another massacre,” the Israeli leader said.
“We are on the way to an absolute victory,” he added, forecasting that the war would conclude in 2024.
“There is no other solution,” Netanyahu declared.
He rejected any settlement that would allow Hamas to maintain control, either wholly or partially, over the Palestinian territory, a stance supported by the United States.
The prime minister argued Israel was the “only power” capable of ensuring long-term security.
Yet, he didn’t dismiss the possibility of Israel presenting its own counter-offer for a ceasefire.
These remarks followed Netanyahu’s meeting with Blinken, who is on his fifth visit to the region, advocating for a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.
“While there are some clear nonstarters in Hamas’ response, we do think it creates space for an agreement to be reached,” Blinken said.
He committed to continuing dialogue with Netanyahu regarding what Israel should propose to negotiators in Cairo, emphasizing the US’s dedication to facilitating the hostages’ release and ending the conflict in Gaza.
Blinken didn’t say what could salvage the deal but mentioned that negotiations would persist until an agreement.
Meanwhile, when informed about Hamas’s proposal, President Joe Biden described the terrorists’ demands as “a little over the top” but said negotiations should continue.
