Netanyahu Says Israeli Attacks That Killed Hundreds Within Hours in Gaza “Just the Beginning’
Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that ceasefire negotiations will take place “only under fire,” adding that the attacks which have killed hundreds of civilians in Gaza are “just the beginning.”
In a televised address on Tuesday evening, Netanyahu said that Israeli forces would strike Hamas with “increasing force” and future ceasefire negotiations would “only take place under fire”.
“Hamas has already felt the weight of our force in the last 24 hours, and I want to assure you – and them – this is only the beginning,” Netanyahu said.
“We will continue to fight to achieve all our goals of the war – the release of all our hostages, the elimination of Hamas, and the promise that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel.”
Netanyahu also placed the blame for the lack of progress in the talks squarely on Hamas.
“While Israel accepted the offer of President Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, Hamas flatly refused to do so,” Netanyahu claimed. “This is why I authorised yesterday the renewal of military action against Hamas.”
Netanyahu also accused Hamas of being responsible for “all unintended casualties” in Gaza.
“Palestinian civilians should avoid any contact with Hamas terrorists, and I call on the people of Gaza, get out of harm’s way,” he said.
Netanyahu’s remarks come after Israel’s sudden deadly attacks across the Gaza Strip shattered the fragile ceasefire with Hamas that began on January 19.
More than 400 Palestinian civilians have been killed, the majority of whom are children, and over 560 others injured in the Israeli attacks as Israel continues attacking the enclave since the early hours of Tuesday after it announced the resumption of war. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, over 174 children are among the victims.
Talks on the second stage of the ceasefire deal, which would see the release of nearly 60 remaining captives held in Gaza and a permanent ceasefire, have been at an impasse over Israel’s insistence that the first phase be extended until mid-April.
Last week, Israel rejected an offer by Hamas to release an American-Israeli dual national and the bodies of four dead captives in exchange for the start of second phase talks and an end to the Israeli blockade imposed earlier this month.
Hamas has released about three dozen captives in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners since the start of the ceasefire, which had been in limbo since March 1, when the six-week-long first stage expired.
Before Israel’s assault, United States President Donald Trump’s US Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, had been pushing for a “bridge” proposal to extend the ceasefire beyond Ramadan and Passover.
Under the proposal, Hamas would have released additional living captives in exchange for prisoners while the sides worked on a framework for a permanent ceasefire.
Despite ongoing negotiations, Israel resumed its genocidal war on Gaza before Hamas’ deadline to respond to Witkoff’s proposal. The decision shattered hopes for a prolonged ceasefire and raised concerns about the humanitarian crisis in the besieged starved strip. The U.S. administration, under Trump, faced criticism for not pushing back against Netanyahu’s government and allowing the ceasefire to collapse.
Hamas spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanou affirmed that the movement remained in continuous contact with mediators and approached the negotiations responsibly. He stated that Hamas did not reject Witkoff’s proposal but rather engaged with it positively. He stated that Netanyahu resumed the genocide to sabotage the agreement and prolong the suffering of Gaza’s civilians.
Hamas also accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement and risking the lives of captives held in Gaza.
“Hamas remained committed to the agreement until the last moment, prioritizing its continuation, while Netanyahu, seeking to resolve his internal crises, chose to reignite the war at the expense of our people’s blood.”
