Netanyahu Dismisses Reports of Impending Ceasefire Deal, Accuses Hamas of Resistance

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied claims that negotiators are close to finalizing a ceasefire agreement, emphasizing that Hamas has repeatedly rejected every proposal. He stressed that Israel remains committed to securing the return of hostages and maintaining control of the Philadelphi Corridor.

On Thursday morning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu firmly refuted reports suggesting that negotiators were on the brink of securing a ceasefire deal. In an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu emphasized that these reports were "exactly inaccurate."

"There's a story, a narrative out there that there's a deal out there … that’s just a false narrative," Netanyahu stated.

Netanyahu Dismisses Reports of Impending Ceasefire Deal, Accuses Hamas of Resistance

He reiterated that Israel has accepted multiple proposals put forward by mediators from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar. However, each attempt has been thwarted due to Hamas's persistent refusal.

"They don’t agree to anything: Not to the Philadelphi Corridor, not to the keys of exchanging hostages for jailed terrorists, not to anything," Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu Dismisses Reports of Impending Ceasefire Deal, Accuses Hamas of Resistance

He accused the terrorist group of seeking to expel Israel from the Gaza Strip and reclaim control, as they have vowed to do.

Netanyahu's remarks come after a report by The Times of Israel last week, which alleged that he had prioritized Israel Defense Forces (IDF) presence along the Philadelphi Corridor over rescuing remaining hostages in Gaza.

Netanyahu Dismisses Reports of Impending Ceasefire Deal, Accuses Hamas of Resistance

The IDF recovered the bodies of six hostages who were killed by Hamas militants over the weekend. Netanyahu expressed his sorrow over their "horrible" condition and extended condolences to the bereaved families.

"We have worked so hard to get them out," Netanyahu asserted. "I made a deal a few months ago where we got more than half of our hostages out and more than half of the living hostages. And we're doing everything we can to get the remainder."

Netanyahu Dismisses Reports of Impending Ceasefire Deal, Accuses Hamas of Resistance

However, he maintained that Hamas's refusal to compromise has hindered progress.

"But Hamas consistently refuses to make a deal, so it's not, you know, the report that there's a deal out there that the only thing holding it up is the Philadelphia tunnel is not merely not true, it's just a direct falsehood," Netanyahu said.

He emphasized that retaining control of the Philadelphi Corridor is crucial for both ensuring the return of hostages and preventing Gaza from becoming an Iranian-backed terror enclave.

"It prevents Gaza from becoming this Iranian terror enclave again, which can threaten our existence, but it's also the way to prevent them from smuggling hostages that they keep through the cease-fire into Egypt, into the Sinai, where they could disappear, and then they'll end up in Iran or in Yemen, and they're lost forever," Netanyahu argued.

In conclusion, Netanyahu maintained that Israel will continue its efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages and uphold its position along the Philadelphi Corridor. He stressed that any ceasefire deal must guarantee the safety of Israel and its citizens from future threats.