Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has rejected Hamas' demands to end the war and release hostages.
As Israeli planes started hitting Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, top Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters that Israel's reluctance to end its military onslaught in Gaza "means there is no chance for the return of the (Israeli) captives."
"In exchange for the release of our hostages, Hamas demands the end of the war, the withdrawal of our forces from Gaza, the release of all the murderers and rapists," Netanyahu said in a statement. "And leaving Hamas intact."
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"I reject outright the terms of surrender of the monsters of Hamas," Netanyahu said.
More than 100 of the estimated 240 hostages taken captive in Gaza during a Hamas militant attack on Oct. 7 were liberated in exchange for the release of 240 Palestinians incarcerated in Israeli prisons, according to a deal reached in late November by the US, Qatar, and Egypt.
Since then, Netanyahu has faced increasing pressure to release the 136 prisoners who remain in custody.
The Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum issued a statement demanding that Netanyahu "clearly state that we will not abandon civilians, soldiers, and others kidnapped in the October debacle."
Netanyahu appeared on Saturday to respond to Biden's remarks about Palestinian statehood after the battle against Hamas in Gaza ended, stating that the two men disagree on Palestinians having their own state, a solution Biden has urged for long-term peace.
In the statement issued on Sunday, Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to "full Israeli security control over all territory west of Jordan."
He stated that he had remained steady against "international and internal pressures" to change his attitude and would continue to do so.
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