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ARCHIVE - An aerial photo taken by a drone shows Palestinians in the ruins of the city of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip. It was reduced to rubble by Israeli attacks. Photo: Mohammad Abu Samra/AP/dpa
Keystone
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a further intensification of attacks on the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Only a combination of military and diplomatic pressure could bring back the hostages, he said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem. Israel and Hamas are negotiating a new ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in indirect talks. However, it is still disputed how many hostages should be released.
"The military pressure is working", said Netanyahu. "On the one hand, it is crushing Hamas' military and government capabilities and, on the other, it is creating the conditions for the release of our hostages." The security cabinet had decided on Saturday evening to increase the already high pressure on Hamas. Relatives of the hostages had repeatedly warned that the restart of the war would endanger the lives of their loved ones.
Netanyahu sticks to Trump's controversial Gaza plan
Negotiations on a new ceasefire are currently taking place under fire, said Netanyahu. If Hamas laid down its weapons, the leaders could leave the Gaza Strip. "We will ensure general security in the Gaza Strip and enable the implementation of the Trump plan, the plan for voluntary emigration," Netanyahu also said.
US President Donald Trump had proposed resettling two million Palestinians from the coastal strip. According to Trump, the inhabitants of the war-ravaged area should be accommodated in other Arab states in the region. The plan was met with strong opposition from Arab states and internationally.
30.03.2025, 14:24
