Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that the Palestinian group Hamas has “put forward positions for a permanent ceasefire that are totally unacceptable” while warning it of “further steps” if it continues holding Israeli hostages.
In a recorded speech released by his office, Netanyahu said “we will take further steps if Hamas continues to hold our hostages,” adding that “Israel knows that America and President (Donald) Trump have our back.”
He confirmed that Israel had accepted a plan from Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, to extend the temporary ceasefire for 50 days.
Israel said earlier in the day that it has agreed to a temporary ceasefire in Gaza during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover following a proposal by Witkoff.
“Again, Israel has accepted this plan. I accepted this plan. But so far, Hamas has rejected it,” Netanyahu claimed.
He also expressed gratitude to President Trump, calling him “the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House.”
“President Trump shows that friendship each and every day,” he added.
Netanyahu thanked Trump for sending previously withheld ammunition, which he said would help Israel, “giving the tools we need to finish the job against Iran’s terror axis.”
Earlier on Sunday, Netanyahu reiterated his refusal to start the second phase of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas in Gaza.
At the same time, he openly admitted the use of starvation as a tool against Hamas, saying: “I want to make one thing clear: There will be no free meals.”
Israel estimates that 59 hostages are still being held in Gaza, with at least 20 of them alive, and they are expected to be set free in the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, which would require Israel to fully withdraw its forces from Gaza and end the war permanently.
The first six-week phase of the ceasefire deal, which took effect on Jan. 19, officially ended at midnight on Saturday. However, Israel has not agreed to move forward to the second phase to bring an end to the war in Gaza.
Netanyahu had sought to extend the initial exchange phase to secure the release of as many Israeli captives as possible without offering anything in return or fulfilling the military and humanitarian obligations of the agreement.
Hamas has refused to proceed under these conditions, insisting that Israel abide by the terms of the ceasefire and immediately start negotiations for the second phase, which includes a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a complete halt to the war.
The ceasefire agreement has halted Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed more than 48,380 people, mostly women and children, and left the enclave in ruins.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
