Netanyahu Open to Temporary Ceasefire to Free Hostages in Gaza

Thursday 22 May 2025 - 08:31

By: Zahouani Ilham

Netanyahu Open to Temporary Ceasefire to Free Hostages in Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed willingness to agree to a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, provided it leads to the release of hostages held by Hamas. This statement comes amid growing international criticism of Israel’s conduct in the ongoing war.

The announcement followed global outrage over warning shots fired by Israeli soldiers during a visit by foreign diplomats to Jenin in the occupied West Bank. The visit had been organized by the Palestinian Authority. While Netanyahu refrained from commenting directly on the incident condemned by the EU, UN, and several European nations the Israeli army stated that the diplomats had strayed from their authorized route, prompting the soldiers to fire warning shots to ensure security.

Speaking at a press conference in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said that while Israel remains committed to dismantling Hamas and freeing hostages, it is open to a short-term pause in military operations if it results in tangible progress on hostage release. He confirmed that 20 out of 58 hostages still believed to be in Gaza are “certainly alive,” including one soldier captured in 2014.

Despite reiterating plans for full military control over the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu acknowledged the importance of avoiding a humanitarian disaster, suggesting that such efforts would allow Israel to maintain operational freedom.

In a rare move, 100 UN humanitarian aid trucks entered Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing on Wednesday. This follows 93 trucks the day before and 10 earlier in the week, marking a significant shift after more than two months of strict blockade. The supplies included flour, baby food, and medical equipment, according to COGAT, an Israeli defense agency.

International pressure on Israel continues to rise. The United Kingdom has suspended free trade talks with Israel, and the European Union, supported by 17 member states, has announced a review of its association agreement with the country. The Israeli Foreign Ministry responded firmly, stating that such measures would not deter Israel from defending its existence and security. It criticized the EU’s decision as a misunderstanding of the regional complexities and accused it of encouraging Hamas.

The war began after a surprise Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in 1,218 Israeli deaths, mostly civilians, and the abduction of 251 individuals. Israel’s military response has caused at least 53,592 deaths in Gaza, predominantly civilians, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry figures deemed credible by the UN.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces intercepted a rocket fired from Gaza on Wednesday, triggering alerts in southern Israel. In southern Lebanon, three people were killed in Israeli strikes as tensions with Hezbollah persist, despite a ceasefire officially in place since November.