‘On terms acceptable to Israel’: Netanyahu says gave instructions for talks to release hostages, end war

As the tensions in West Asia continue to escalate, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he has ordered negotiations for the release of all hostages and an end to the war. However, he made it clear that the conflict would end “on terms acceptable to Israel.”

Netanyahu also noted that despite these negotiations, Israel still intends to advance plans to take control of Gaza City. The Israeli premier made these remarks in a video address on Thursday. The statment came ahead of Netanyahu’s high-level security meeting with defence chiefs and cabinet ministers, which would focus on approving the operational plans to take Gaza City and “decisively defeat Hamas.”

While pushing his case for Gaza City occupation, Netanyahu stressed that Israel is now at a critical juncture.“We are at the decisive stage,” he said, underlining that “defeating Hamas and securing the release of all hostages go hand in hand.”

A change in stance

It is pertinent to note that this is the first time Netanyahu has publicly addressed a ceasefire in the Gaza war. The proclamation from the Israeli Prime Minister came a week after Hamas responded positively to the latest proposal put forth by mediators from Qatar and Egypt.

However, Netanyahu did not clarify to whom he had given the order to start immediate negotiations on a ceasefire deal and also avoided referring to the current proposal framework, which begins with a 60-day ceasefire during which half of the remaining Israeli hostages are to be released.

Israeli officials believe that there are 50 hostages still in Gaza, out of whom at least 20 are thought to be alive. In recent public statements, the Israeli premier emphasised that the Jewish nation is seeking a comprehensive agreement that would secure the release of all hostages and meet Israel’s conditions for ending the war.

Despite this, he is still planning a massive assault on Gaza City. On Wednesday, Netanyahu instructed the country’s military to shorten the timeline of the operation – despite concern from residents of Gaza City, who have described Israel’s plans as the “beginning of a new war.”

In light of this, the Israeli military has called up tens of thousands of reservists to take part in the impending military operation. According to the Israel Defence Force, the military is currently stationed on the outskirts of Gaza City, waiting for further orders.

“We are at the stage of decision,” Netanyahu said in a video address. “Today I came to the Gaza Division to approve the plans that the (Israel Defence Forces) presented to me and the minister of defence for taking control of Gaza City and defeating Hamas.” At the same time, he refrained from making any official reference to the mediators’ proposal, leaving open the possibility of a partial agreement.