Rejecting Hamas Requirements Related To Hostage Release, PM Netanyahu: If This Is Approved, Our Army Will Fall In Vain

Israeli military land operations in Gaza. (Source: Israel Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the acceptance of the conditions put forward by the Palestinian militant group would only save the country's military struggles and sacrifices in vain, with no guarantee of security for Israeli citizens.

PM Netanyahu on Sunday insisted he would not accept a request by the Hamas group to end the war, in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages detained in Gaza.

"I do this all the time. But to make it clear: I reject the terms of surrender from Hamas monsters," he said.

PM Netanyahu further said the Hamas had demanded an end to the war, the release of Palestinian prisoners and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza in exchange for the release of the hostages.

"If we agree to this, our soldiers will die in vain. If we agree to this, we will not be able to guarantee the security of our citizens," said the prime minister.

Under a deal brokered at the end of November by the United States, Qatar and Egypt, more than 100 of the approximately 240 hostages held hostage in Gaza during the Hamas militant attack on October 7 were released in exchange for the release of 240 Palestinians detained in Gaza. Israeli prison, as quoted by Reuters.

Since then, PM Netanyahu has faced growing pressure to ensure the release of 136 hostages who are still being held.

In a statement on Sunday, PM Netanyahu also repeated he would demand "Israel's full security control over the entire western region of Jordan."

He also said firmly, against "international and internal pressure" to change this position and will continue to do so.

Separately, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters the Israeli leader's refusal to end a military offensive in Gaza means there is no chance for the return of the prisoners (Israel).