Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that while he might accept a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, he will not agree to end the war on the Palestinian enclave. During a visit to injured soldiers, Netanyahu emphasized that the objectives of eliminating Hamas and freeing all hostages are intertwined, stating, "There will be no situation where we stop the war."

According to Anadolu Agency, Netanyahu reassured his coalition partners that Israel would only consider a temporary ceasefire if Hamas agreed to disarm and some hostages were freed. He asserted that, "In the coming days, we will enter with full force to complete the operation to defeat Hamas. Our forces are there now."

On Monday, Netanyahu's office announced that he had instructed his negotiating team to head to Qatar to discuss a potential ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas. This delegation is set to remain in Doha until at least Thursday, coinciding with US President Donald Trump's Gulf tour.

In a recent development, Hamas released Israeli American hostage Edan Alexander on Monday, claiming the release followed communications with Washington as part of ongoing ceasefire efforts in Gaza. Israel estimates that 58 Israeli captives remain in Gaza, with 21 believed to be alive. In contrast, more than 9,900 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons under harsh conditions, including torture and medical neglect, as reported by various media and human rights organizations.

The Israeli military's offensive on the Gaza Strip has resulted in the deaths of over 52,900 Palestinians since October 2023, predominantly women and children. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Furthermore, Israel is facing genocide charges at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the enclave.