Netanyahu rejects Hamas’s proposal for permanent Gaza ceasefire

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected Hamas’ proposal for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, threatening the Palestinian resistance movement with additional measures if it refuses to release the remaining Israeli prisoners.

In a recorded speech released by his office, Netanyahu rejected as “totally unacceptable” the permanent ceasefire in the besieged territory, Al Jazeera reported on Monday.  

“We will take further steps if Hamas continues to hold our hostages,” he warned, adding that Israel had accepted a framework put forward by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, which would allow the release of Israeli prisoners and extend the temporary ceasefire for 50 days.

“Again, Israel has accepted this plan. I accepted this plan. But so far, Hamas has rejected it,” Netanyahu claimed.

Israel accepted the plan instead of entering talks on the second phase of the ceasefire deal with Hamas, which took effect on January 19. On Sunday, the regime cut off the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza, a day after the first phase of the deal expired.   

Also in his recorded speech, Netanyahu expressed gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump, calling him “the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.”

He particularly thanked Trump for supplying munitions held up by the previous administration, which Netanyahu said would help the regime “finish the mission” against the axis of resistance.

Netanyahu also once again backed Trump's displacement plan for Gaza, an issue that sparked global condemnations.

During the first phase of the ceasefire deal, Hamas handed over 33 prisoners alive and the bodies of 8 others, while Israel, in response, released more than 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas has said that it would not accept the U.S. plan, and wants the ceasefire to be implemented in its all phases, which include a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a complete halt to the war. The movement has also described Israel’s move to block entry of supplies to Gaza as “a war crime.”

The Israeli premier has issued numerous threats in the past weeks, warning that his forces may resume war and that the “door of hell” will open again in Gaza.

He also openly admitted the use of starvation as a tool against Hamas, saying: “I want to make one thing clear: There will be no free meals.”