Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said there will be no ceasefire in his military's action against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, asserting that "it is a time of war". In a briefing to the foreign press, Netanyahu said a ceasefire would mean surrender to Hamas, terrorism and barbarism.
"Just as the United States would not agree to a ceasefire after the bombing of Pearl Harbor or after the terrorist attack of 9/11, Israel will not agree to a cessation of hostilities with Hamas after the horrific attacks of October 7th," he said while clarifying Israeli's position on ceasefire.
"Calls for a ceasefire are calls for Israel to surrender to Hamas, to surrender to terrorism, to surrender to barbarism. That will not happen," he said.
Israel's counter-offensive against Hamas after the latter's October 7 surprise attack has destroyed areas in Gaza followed by a ground incursion.
This comes as the Israeli military advanced deeper into the Gaza Strip, increasing fears in the enclave’s largest city, reported The New York Times. Israel's air strikes have killed over 8,300 people in the region, the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry said, AFP reported.
Netanyahu also hailed the rescue of a hostage as proof that Israel’s military offensive can free Israeli captives while delivering crushing blows to Hamas. The Israeli prime minister congratulated the military and security agency Shin Bet for freeing Ori Megidish, an army private, reported The Guardian. Megidish was freed on Sunday night, three weeks after she was kidnapped.
He said Hamas launched this war by "perpetrating the worst savagery our people have seen since the Holocaust". "Hamas murdered children in front of their parents. Murdered parents in front of their children. They burnt people alive. They raped women. They beheaded men. They tortured Holocaust survivors. They kidnapped babies. They committed the most horrific crimes imaginable," Netanyahu told the press.
He also targeted Iran, Lebanon and Yemen and said Hamas men are part of the "axis" of evil "Iran has formed".
"...an axis of terror that works by arming, training and financing Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and other terror proxies throughout the Middle East and beyond the Middle East," the PM added.