Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday demanded Hamas disarm and its leaders depart Gaza as he promised to step up military operations against the group.
His comments come after the Hamas leader in Gaza said it had agreed to a ceasefire proposed by mediators Egypt and Qatar that included the release of five Israeli hostages each week.
Those efforts are aimed at renewing a two-month truce that saw the exchange of Israelis kidnapped by Palestinian militants for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli detention.
Israel resumed strikes and ground incursions into Gaza on March 18.
The Hamas leader said Israel's demands it lay down its arms was a "red line" the group would not cross.
Netanyahu said he was conducting negotiations and military operations simultaneously, a strategy he said "creates the conditions for the release of our hostages."
His comments come after the Hamas leader in Gaza said it had agreed to a ceasefire proposed by mediators Egypt and Qatar that included the release of five Israeli hostages each week.
Those efforts are aimed at renewing a two-month truce that saw the exchange of Israelis kidnapped by Palestinian militants for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli detention.
Israel resumed strikes and ground incursions into Gaza on March 18.
The Hamas leader said Israel's demands it lay down its arms was a "red line" the group would not cross.
Netanyahu said he was conducting negotiations and military operations simultaneously, a strategy he said "creates the conditions for the release of our hostages."
1 day ago
