Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that Israel would consider "small tactical pauses" in the fighting in Gaza to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid or allow for the release of hostages held by Hamas. However, he reiterated his refusal of a ceasefire without the release of all prisoners in the Palestinian territory governed by Hamas. This came during an interview with ABC News, during which he was asked who should govern Gaza after the fighting ends. He responded, "I believe Israel will take overall security responsibility for an indefinite period because we have seen what happens when we do not take that security responsibility."
Israel is conducting an air and ground offensive against Hamas following the movement's deadly armed attack in southern Israel last month, resulting in 1,400 deaths and 240 others taken hostage. Health authorities in the territory reported that Israeli bombardments have killed at least ten thousand people in Gaza. Both Israel and Hamas reject increasing international pressure for a ceasefire. Israel states that Hamas must first release the hostages, while Hamas insists that it will not release them or halt fighting while Gaza is under attack.
In response to a question about whether he was open to a humanitarian truce in Gaza, Netanyahu said, "Well, there will be no general ceasefire in Gaza without the release of our hostages." He added, "Regarding small tactical pauses, an hour here and an hour there, those have happened before. I think we will examine the situations to enable the entry of goods and humanitarian supplies or the departure of hostages."
