Netanyahu puts forward a condition for a ’humanitarian ceasefire’: Let the hostages be released first

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a press conference alone after meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was visiting Tel Aviv. Netanyahu said they ‘rejected the offer of a temporary humanitarian ceasefire’ without the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Stressing that they would ‘continue with all their strength’ without mentioning US President Joe Biden’s ‘temporary humanitarian ceasefire’, Netanyahu said: “Israel refuses to hold a temporary humanitarian ceasefire until the hostages in Gaza (held by Hamas) are released. We do not allow fuel to enter Gaza, we oppose sending money.”

What did Biden say?

While Biden was speaking on the campaign trail in Minnesota, his word was interrupted by a woman who called for a ceasefire. Biden, responding to this woman, said, “We need a pause. A pause can provide time to get the prisoners out.”