"Israel will not agree to a cease-fire in Gaza," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. "The calls for a ceasefire are calls for Israel to surrender to Hamas, to surrender to terrorism, to surrender to barbarism. That won't happen, he said. "The Bible says there is a time for peace and a time for war," Netanyahu said. "This is a time for war," added the Israeli prime minister.
Netanyahu also said at a news conference that other countries should provide more help in the fight to free more than 230 hostages taken by Hamas in the Oct. 7 attacks. He said the international community should demand that the captives be "released immediately and unconditionally," AFP quoted him as saying.
Among the Hamas hostages in Gaza are 33 children, Netanyahu also said.
"Only a ground operation and pressure on Hamas will give hope for the release of the hostages," the prime minister said.
For his part, the Israeli Defense Minister said that his soldiers are working with determination and strength.
"The soldiers will be able to achieve the goals. Hamas terrorists have only two options - to die in the battle against the Israeli army or to surrender unconditionally," said Yoav Galant. /BGNES
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