Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Photo: Yonatan Sindel/flash90
Benjamin Netanyahu to order the complete conquest of Gaza and the deportation of its residents if the Hamas group does not release all Israeli hostages by noon on Saturday. This was reported by The Jerusalem Post.
“Mr. Prime Minister, I urge you, after this moral, simple and clear statement by President Trump, to tell Hamas unequivocally: either all hostages will be released by Saturday – without any stages and without any games – or the gates of hell will open on them,” Smotrych said in a video message.
According to him, this would mean a complete cessation of electricity, water, fuel and humanitarian aid to Gaza. He also stressed that Israel must fully conquer the Gaza Strip, evict all Palestinians from it and establish its sovereignty over the territory. Smotrych noted that he has the full support of US President Donald Trump.
Criticism from the opposition
Opposition leader Yair Lapid harshly criticised Netanyahu, accusing him of delaying the process of returning the hostages.
“The responsibility lies with Netanyahu, who is again delaying, again harming the process, again leaving the hostages to fend for themselves,” Lapid wrote on social media.
The head of the National Unity Party, Benny Gantz, also stressed that Israel has no choice but to continue military action if the hostages are not released.
Israeli Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Eli Cohen confirmed that the Israeli government fully supports Donald Trump’s position on the unconditional return of hostages.
Position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel
At a meeting with EU ambassadors, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said that if Hamas violates the agreements on the release of hostages, the war will continue.
“We discussed Hamas’s decision not to fulfil the terms of the agreement. This means only one thing – a return to hostilities,” Saar said.
