Benjamin Netanyahu laid down new conditions...?
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on sunday (March 30, 2025) that Israel's military pressure on Hamas in Gaza has been effective. He stressed that the Palestinian group should lay down its arms. Netanyahu said in a cabinet meeting that talks are going on under pressure, yet Hamas will have to lay down its arms.
During the meeting, he said, "We are negotiating under pressure. We can see that cracks have started appearing in what the group has demanded in its talks. We are ready. Hamas will have to lay down its arms. Its leaders will be allowed to leave Gaza." Netanyahu's remarks come at a time when countries like Egypt, qatar and the united states are continuing efforts to bring about a ceasefire and ensure the release of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.
What did Hamas say?
A senior Hamas official said on saturday (March 29, 2025) that the group had approved a new ceasefire proposal presented by mediators and urged israel to support it. Netanyahu's office confirmed receipt of the proposal and said israel had submitted a counterproposal.
'Hamas must lay down arms'
On sunday, Netanyahu rejected claims that israel was not interested in discussing a deal that would ensure the release of hostages still held in Gaza, but insisted that Hamas must hand over its weapons.
The ceasefire had kept the Gaza Strip calm for several weeks but it broke down on march 18 when israel resumed aerial bombardments and ground attacks in the Palestinian territory. At least eight people, including five children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes in the Khan Younis area of Gaza on sunday, the regional civil defense agency said.
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