Netanyahu: Israel reserves right to resume war in Gaza if necessary
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would resume its war against Hamas “with full force” if the terror group breaks the ceasefire. In a speech as Israel awaited the release of the first hostages, Mr Netanyahu said both President Biden and President Donald Trump promised him Israel had the right to resume the fighting “in new ways and with very great power” if Hamas violates the deal.
He also said his government would get the necessary weaponry from America to continue the war on Hamas. By Saturday night, Israel was still waiting for Hamas to deliver a list with the names of the first three hostages set to be released on Sunday at 14:00 GMT.
The terror group was expected to send Israel a list with names of hostages 24 hours before their release as per the ceasefire agreement. Mr Netanyahu’s office issued a statement, saying: “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. Israel will not tolerate violations of the agreement. Hamas is solely responsible.”.
The Israeli premier also said that his country would increase the number of troops on the Philadelphi corridor, a thin strip of land along the Egypt-Gaza border. Mr Netanyahu’s statement appears to contradict the terms of the deal, which stipulates that Israel will “gradually reduce the forces in the corridor area during stage one”, Israeli media said.
