New Delhi:Hours before the start of a ceasefire in the Gaza war, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they won’t be able “to move forward with the framework” until they get the list of hostages who Hamas will release.
“We will be unable to move forward with the framework until we receive the list of the hostages who will be released, as was agreed. Israel will not tolerate violations of the agreement. Hamas is solely responsible,” Mr Netanyahu said in a post on X in Hebrew.
In a televised address, Mr Netanyahu said Israel reserves the “right to resume war if necessary” with US support. He said he will ensure all hostages are brought back to Israel.
“We reserve the right to resume the war if necessary, with American support,” Mr Netanyahu said in the televised statement. He added that Israel had “changed the face of the Middle East” since the war began.
Of the 251 people taken hostage, 94 are still in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.
The ceasefire is scheduled to begin on Sunday morning, mediator Qatar said after Israel’s cabinet voted to approve the truce and hostage-prisoner release deal.
Since Qatar and the US, which mediated the deal along with Egypt, announced the agreement on Wednesday, Israeli strikes on Gaza have continued.
On Saturday, Gaza’s civil defence rescue agency said at least five members of a family were killed when a strike hit their tent in Khan Yunis, in southern Gaza, news agency AFP reported. Explosions were heard over Jerusalem after air raid sirens blared and the military said a projectile had been launched from Yemen, whose Iran-backed Huthi rebels say they support the Palestinians.