 "Israel reserves 'right to resume war if necessary' with US support: PM Netanyahu")
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that Israel reserves the right to resume fighting in Gaza with US support, as he pledged to bring home all hostages held in the Palestinian territory.
“We reserve the right to resume the war if necessary, with American support,” Netanyahu said in a televised statement, a day before a ceasefire is set to take effect. He added that Israel had “changed the face of the Middle East” since the war began.
Earlier today, Netanyahu said that Israel would not proceed with the Gaza ceasefire until it receives a list of the names of the hostages, Hamas will release in the first phase of the deal.
“We will not move forward with the agreement until we receive the list of hostages who will be released, as agreed. Israel will not tolerate violations of the agreement. The sole responsibility lies with Hamas,” Netanyahu said in a statement on X.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 18, 2025
"We will be unable to move forward with the framework until we receive the list of the hostages who will be released, as was agreed. Israel will not tolerate violations of the agreement. Hamas is solely responsible."
Israel had expected to receive the names by 4 p.m. local time Saturday, now more than three hours ago. Netanyahu in a statement says that “Israel will not tolerate violations of the agreement.”
Impact Shorts
More ShortsHamas was to give the names to mediator Qatar. There is no immediate Qatar response to questions. There is no immediate Hamas response, either.
Israel’s Cabinet approved the deal early on Saturday; the ceasefire will see the first hostages released.
Brokered by mediators the United States, Qatar and Egypt in months of indirect talks between the warring sides, the ceasefire is the second truce achieved in the devastating conflict.
Netanyahu’s office said the deal “supports achieving the objectives of the war”.
But Hamas said Israel had “failed to achieve its aggressive goals” and “only succeeded in committing war crimes that disgrace the dignity of humanity”.
Israel’s justice ministry said 737 Palestinian prisoners and detainees would be freed as part of the deal’s first phase – none before 4:00 pm (1400 GMT) on Sunday.
Israel warns Palestinians against moving through Gaza corridor
Ahead of the ceasefire set to begin Sunday, Israel’s military is warning Palestinians against moving from southern Gaza to northern Gaza through the Netzarim corridor until further notice. The corridor is a belt across central Gaza where Israel had sought a mechanism for searching Palestinians for arms when they return to the territory’s north.
Spokesman Avichay Adraee in a social media post also warns Palestinians not to approach Israeli forces, who will withdraw to border areas and the Philadelphi corridor, the band of territory along Gaza’s border with Egypt.
He said Saturday the military will release a detailed statement when displaced Palestinians will be allowed to move from south to the north.
With inputs from agencies
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