Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that total victory in the Gaza Strip is close. rejected Hamas’ latest ceasefire offer guarantee the return of hostages still held in the enclave.

Netanyahu reiterated his promise to destroy the Palestinian Islamist movement, saying that Israel had no alternative but to cause the collapse of Hamas.

“D-Day is the day after Hamas. All Hamas,” he told a news conference, insisting that complete victory over Hamas was the only solution to the war in Gaza.

Hamas proposes ceasefire in Gaza four and a half monthsduring which all hostages will be released, Israel will withdraw its troops from the Gaza Strip and a settlement will be reached. agreement to end the war.

Hamas proposal, the contents of which became known for the first time ReutersIt is a response to an earlier proposal drawn up by American and Israeli spy leaders and handed to the militant group last week by Qatari and Egyptian intermediaries.

Netanyahu’s statements demonstrate his intention to continue the conflict in the Middle East, he said Reuters Sami Abu Zuhri, senior Hamas leader.

“Netanyahu’s comments are a form of political bravado that indicates his intention to continue the conflict in the region,” Abu Zuhri said. “The movement (Hamas) is ready to consider all options.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the proposal with Netanyahu after arriving in Israel following talks with the leaders of Qatar and Egypt, countries that acted as mediators. Blinken later met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah.

Israel launched its military offensive after Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages on October 7. At least 27,585 Palestinians have been confirmed dead, according to Gaza’s health ministry, and there are fears thousands more are buried in the rubble.

Until now There was only a truce which lasted a week at the end of November.

Israel has already said that will not withdraw its troops from Gaza and it will not end the war until Hamas is destroyed.

However, according to sources consulted, Hamas is taking a new approach to its long-standing demand for an end to the war, now proposing that the issue be resolved in future negotiations rather than becoming a condition of a truce.