Jerusalem, Nov 27: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toured a tunnel in the besieged Gaza Strip and vowed to “eliminate” Hamas. “We are here in the (Gaza) Strip,” Netanyahu was seen saying on Sunday in a video footage released by his office, wearing an army vest and helmet. His office said he received a briefing from commanders and toured an underground tunnel belonging to Hamas that was exposed during the war, Xinhua news agency reported.
Netanyahu stated that Israel’s goals for the attack, launched on October 7 following Hamas’ deadly surprise attack, are to “eliminate” Hamas, release about 240 hostages kidnapped by Hamas, and “ensure that Gaza will not pose a threat to Israel again.”
“We are continuing until the end – until victory. And nothing will stop us,” he said, surrounded by soldiers. He added, “We are making every effort to bring our hostages back home, and eventually, we will.”
The visit took place on the third day of a fragile truce between Israel and Hamas, which includes the entry of desperately needed aid to Gaza and the release of about 50 hostages and 150 Palestinian prisoners.
The weeks of Israeli bombardment in Gaza have reportedly led to the deaths of over 14,000 people, 40 per cent of them children, while thousands remain missing, believed to be trapped beneath the rubble, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry. According to Israeli figures, about 1,200 people were killed, mainly in the initial attack that triggered the war.
Talks underway between Israel, Qatari mediators
Discussions are on between Israel and Qatari mediators over hostages to be freed by the Hamas on Monday – the final day of the four-day truce between the two warring sides.
Addressing mediapersons, the Israeli coordinator of hostages and missing persons, Gal Hirsh said the discussions were underway regarding the list of hostages that was received by the Prime Minister’s Office on Sunday night. In a statement on Sunday night, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said: “Discussions are being held on the list that was received overnight and which is now being evaluated in Israel.”
As of Sunday, Hamas and Israel had discussed the possibility of extending the truce, but no such deal has been announced yet. Hamas has said that it sought to extend the ongoing four-day truce with Israel. (IANS)
