Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he will not accept Hamas’ conditions for a deal to end the war in Gaza, declaring the group is now encircled in two areas and will face “surprises in various ways.”
“We have the ability to eliminate them. We are a state with an army, not an army ruling a state,” Netanyahu said in a televised address, adding that the Security Cabinet’s decision on occupying Gaza is “decisive.”
He dismissed Hamas’ demands as “terms of surrender” and said his government would not agree to them. Netanyahu also noted that he and his wife remain in constant contact with the families of hostages held in Gaza and are aware of their suffering.
On regional developments, Netanyahu said Israel would move to disarm the Mount Hermon area on the Syrian front.