Just before departing with his wife this morning (Sunday), Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was interviewed by Mark Levin on Fox News. During the discussion, he addressed U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, Hamas, and the hostages.
“The Right Approach”
Netanyahu expressed willingness to actively participate in the plan: “Trump never said he wanted American soldiers to do the job. Guess what? We will do the job. Hamas attacked us – we will finish them,” he said.
He further added that in his view, “Trump’s plan is the right approach – I think we should pursue it. There are details that need to be worked out, of course. A destination needs to be arranged where they (the Gazans) can resettle, but I tell you: once given the opportunity, they will leave.”
The Hostage Deal
The Prime Minister also discussed the ongoing negotiations for the hostage deal, revealing: “I agreed to this deal months ago. But Hamas refused and imposed conditions – ‘We will release only 12 hostages’… I said at least double the number. But when Trump took office, the pressure he exerted was on Hamas to accept the deal. I didn’t have to move a nanometer from my original position. Hamas folded.”
Earlier today, a source close to Netanyahu stated that as part of the ongoing negotiations for hostage releases there is a discussion about extending Phase One of the deal.
Hostages Released in Poor Health
Last night, hostages Ohad Ben Ami, Or Levi, and Eli Sharabi returned to Israel as part of the fifth phase of the hostage release deal. Upon their arrival, serious concerns about their health arose due to visible signs of severe malnutrition. All three were transferred to Sheba Medical Center for medical examinations and further assessment.
Netanyahu addressed their return in a statement from the U.S.: “Or, Eli, and Ohad have returned home today. Sarah and I embrace them and their dear families,” he said. “Once again, we have seen the true face of Hamas monsters – the same monsters who massacred our citizens and tormented our hostages. And I tell them again: their blood is on their own hands.”
Watch Netanyahu’s Interview with Fox News:
“We Will Eliminate Hamas and Bring the Hostages Home”
Netanyahu emphasized: “President Trump fully agrees with me: we will do everything to bring back all the hostages, but Hamas will not be there. We will eliminate Hamas and bring our hostages home. That is the directive – and that is what we will do.”
The Prime Minister reaffirmed Israel’s unwavering commitment to securing the return of all hostages and ensuring national security. As part of the official instructions given to the Israeli negotiation team, they were directed to deliver a clear and unequivocal message to mediators, underscoring the paramount importance of this objective.
