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Monday, August 18, 2025

Netanyahu on hostage deal reports: Hamas is under immense pressure - Jerusalem Post Staff

 

by Jerusalem Post Staff

"Like you, I hear the reports in the media, from which you can gather one thing – Hamas is under immense pressure," the prime minister said while visiting the Gaza Division.

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an interview with The Jerusalem Post.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an interview with The Jerusalem Post.
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the reports that Hamas had accepted a ceasefire-hostage deal, stating that "Hamas is under immense pressure" after visiting the Gaza Division on Monday. 

"Like you, I hear the reports in the media, from which you can gather one thing – Hamas is under immense pressure."

Netanyahu detailed three key points in the ongoing war. He addressed IDF achievements, stating, "First, I expressed on your behalf, on behalf of the Israeli government, and my own behalf, immense appreciation for the tremendous achievements of the IDF in the War of Rebirth, the war on seven fronts."

"Second, I was impressed by the fighting spirit and determination to complete the defeat of Hamas and the release of all our hostages. Third, I spoke with the defense minister and the chief of staff about our plans regarding Gaza City and the completion of our missions."

Netanyahu's statement came after he visited the Gaza Division alongside Defense Minister Israel Katz, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir and the senior IDF command staff.

IDF chief Eyal Zamir, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Defense Minister Israel Katz seen during a military briefing, in Tel Aviv, Israel, June 30, 2025 (credit: MAAYAN TOAF/GPO)
IDF chief Eyal Zamir, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Defense Minister Israel Katz seen during a military briefing, in Tel Aviv, Israel, June 30, 2025 (credit: MAAYAN TOAF/GPO)

The deal: opposition from the government and support from the opposition

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was one of the first to speak about the reports that Hamas had accepted a ceasefire-hostage deal, saying that "if Netanyahu gives in to Hamas and halts the war, it will be a crying shame and a missed opportunity.”

He also added, “Last time, the prime minister missed President [Donald] Trump's ultimatum, which demanded the release of all hostages or open the gates of hell, despite my warning that it would be a historic mistake.”

"We now have the opportunity to defeat Hamas, and I tell the prime minister: You do not have the mandate to go for a partial deal and not defeat Hamas."

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionism Party, said the deal proposed by Hamas was like "abandoning half of the hostages and could lead to ending the war in defeat."

He posted on X, "Hamas is under great pressure from the occupation of Gaza because it understands that this eliminates it and ends the story. Therefore, it is trying to stop it by returning to a partial deal."

Precisely for this reason, we must not give in and grant the enemy a lifeline. Continue to the end, win, and bring back all the hostages in one fell swoop."

MK Zvi Sukkot, a member of Smotrich’s Religious Zionism Party, shared Ben-Gvir’s view on the need to reject a ceasefire deal.

“A partial deal will lead to the abandonment of half of the hostages, an enormous risk to IDF soldiers in the continuation of the fighting, a boost of oxygen to Hamas, and the loss of the little international legitimacy we still have,” he posted on X/Twitter.

Blue and White chairman MK Benny Gantz offered his backing to Netanyahu and his coalition should a deal be accepted.

 

“The government has a clear majority and a wide safety net to bring back the hostages,” Gantz posted on X and said, “Netanyahu, this is not a time to hesitate - this is a time for making the right decisions for the people of Israel and Israel's security.” 

 

Jerusalem Post Staff

Source: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-864595

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