Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Hamas of holding hostages at Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital, but they were no longer there when the Israeli military conducted a ground operation earlier this week.
In an exclusive interview with “CBS Evening News,” Netanyahu stated that there were “strong indications” that hostages were being held at the hospital, which prompted the Israeli military to enter the facility. However, he confirmed that if the hostages were there, they had been taken out prior to the raid.
The Israel Defense Forces claimed that the hospital was used by Hamas as a base, with Israel accusing the terrorist group of having a command center underneath the medical complex. Hamas has denied these allegations.
Roughly 240 hostages were taken during an attack on Israel by Hamas militants on October 7, with only four being released, including two Americans. Israel is reportedly considering a proposal in which Hamas would release some of the women and children in exchange for a three to five-day ceasefire. The deal could also involve the release of Palestinian women and children from Israeli prisons.
When asked about the proposed deal, Netanyahu did not confirm specifics but mentioned that the ground operation has put pressure on Hamas to achieve a ceasefire and secure the release of the hostages.
Netanyahu also emphasized that Israel is trying to minimize civilian casualties in the conflict and is not seeking to occupy Gaza. He asserted that Israel’s goal is to demilitarize and deradicalize Gaza, freeing Palestinians from the grip of Hamas and providing them with a better future.
However, when asked about the possibility of a two-state solution, Netanyahu insisted that Palestinians need a change in leadership, stating that Gaza needs to be both demilitarized and deradicalized for progress to be made.
The Prime Minister also emphasized accountability for those committing violence against innocent Palestinians in the West Bank, stating that such actions cannot be accepted.
The situation between Israel and Hamas continues to be complex, with the prospect of a ceasefire and the release of hostages hanging in the balance. No official agreement has been reached as of yet, but negotiations are ongoing as both sides seek a resolution to the conflict.