Netanyahu Reiterates His ‘Four Red Lines’ After Talk of Breakthrough in Hostage Deal

Netanyahu’s statements came once morest the backdrop of negotiations to reach an agreement under which the hostages would be released.

After his statement, shouts of “shame” were heard from the audience.

Netanyahu detailed his four “red lines” once once more, saying: “Without military pressure, we would not have been able to achieve the first release of the kidnapped soldiers. Only with this pressure will we achieve the second release. Ambiguity and hesitation have not brought us what we have achieved so far. Only clarity and determination will achieve the release of our kidnapped soldiers and the achievement of our other goals.”

The Prime Minister continued, saying: “Those held by the factions movement are constantly before our eyes. We have a moral obligation to return all of them to Israel, both alive and dead. This is a sacred duty.”

He added, “The four red lines must allow Israel to return to fighting until all the war’s goals are achieved. We will not allow the return of militants and the entry of weapons into the Gaza Strip. This is the only way to preserve the gains we achieved in a stubborn war and with the precious blood of our fighters.”

The Prime Minister stated that he was determined that in the first phase of the plan, the largest possible number of living hostages would be released.

Netanyahu stressed that the way to release the kidnapped is to continue to put pressure on the factions’ movement with all force.

Indirect negotiations between Tel Aviv and the factions movement resumed to reach an agreement for a prisoner exchange and a ceasefire in Gaza.

Netanyahu’s office said in a statement regarding the Doha round of negotiations that the negotiating team returned last night from a four-way summit with mediators in Doha.

He stated that during the meeting, the terms of the deal for returning the hostages and ways to implement its broad outlines were discussed, while ensuring all the objectives of the war.

His office said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held meetings with the negotiating team on Thursday morning.

A delegation headed by the Director of the General Security Service, along with representatives of the Israeli army, is scheduled to leave for Cairo on Thursday evening to continue the talks.

Source: Agencies