The periodic four-hour pauses by the Israeli military announced this Thursday (9) do not amount to a ceasefire and will not affect the fighting in Gaza, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said today at a press conference.
He emphasized that there will be no ceasefire until the release of the hostages that Hamas took.
“We will not cease fire or fighting as long as there are hostages in Gaza. And until we have completed our mission, which is to destroy Hamas and dismantle its military and governance capabilities,” said Gallant.
The comments echo Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also insisted on Thursday that there would be “no ceasefire” without the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Gallant said the Israeli military’s daily four-hour breaks are limited measures to allow civilians to escape.
“We are taking specific measures to allow Palestinian civilians to leave Gaza City to the south to avoid harming them. This does not affect fighting,” he said.
The Defense Minister said Israel Defense Forces soldiers are operating “in the heart of Gaza City” and are “very close to the port of Gaza.”
Israeli forces have begun using “new methods” to destroy underground tunnels used by Hamas, Gallant said, without providing further information.
VIDEO – Israel: Hamas lost control of Gaza
Source: CNN Brasil
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