Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted last night that the wave of attacks against the Islamic terrorist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip "is just the beginning" and warned that "from now on, negotiations (with Hamas) will only take place under fire."
"Hamas has already felt our strength, and I would like to make it clear that this is just the beginning. We will continue fighting to achieve all the objectives of the war," the president said in a brief video statement in Hebrew from the Kirya, the headquarters of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv.
Netanyahu spoke as hundreds of people, including several of the hostages freed in Gaza during the last two months of the truce, demonstrated in the resort city to criticize the return to war against Hamas.
In his message, Netanyahu accused the Islamic terrorist group of refusing to accept any of the proposals from Israel and the United States, through mediators, to free more hostages and extend the ceasefire in Gaza.
Hamas, on the other hand, in an attempt to ensure its survival, is demanding that the Israeli authorities sit down to negotiate the terms of the second phase, which was supposed to begin on March 1 and includes the complete withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces and the release of the hostages.
Netanyahu also criticized those who, as relatives of the hostages have reported, believe that the return to war is driven by political considerations. "They are merely repeating Hamas propaganda," the prime minister said.
In a separate video, released in English, Netanyahu emphasized that the Israel Defense Forces does not seek to attack Palestinian civilians, but rather Hamas forces.
"And when these terrorists embed themselves in civilian areas, when they use civilians as human shields, they are responsible for all the unwanted casualties," he said.
Israel has so far confirmed the deaths of five leaders of the Islamic terrorist group in the bombings, which have violated the ceasefire in place since January 19.
"Every civilian death is Hamas's fault," the prime minister stressed.
Agencies contributed to this Aurora article
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