“If Hamas lays down its arms, this ends today. If not—we finish the job,” says Israeli PM as hostage deal nears but war goals stay firm. He’ll take 10 living hostages and redeploy temporarily, but a peace deal will only come with complete surrender and dismantlement of the terror group, with complete assurance, with US support, that it will never rise again.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Thursday that only the total defeat of Hamas—militarily and politically—will bring the war to an end, dismissing speculation that a temporary truce or hostage deal could substitute for final victory.
Speaking to Newsmax’s Greta Van Susteren before returning to Israel from a high-stakes U.S. visit, Netanyahu confirmed that a hostage release agreement with Hamas could be reached in the coming days. “I hope we can complete it in a few days,” he said, as indirect negotiations continued in Doha, facilitated by U.S. and Qatari officials.
But Netanyahu emphasized that any deal would not signify the war’s conclusion. “We’ll probably have a 60-day ceasefire—get the first batch [of hostages] out—and then use the 60 days to try to negotiate an end to this,” he said. “And this could end tomorrow, today, if Hamas lays down its arms.”
Otherwise, the war will go on.
“Our position is crystal clear,” Netanyahu added. “We think we can bring it to completion. So I wouldn’t tell you that we have a war goal that is unachievable. We’re going to defeat these monsters and get our hostages back.”
Washington Pressure, Israeli Resolve
Amid reports that the Trump administration is pressuring Israel not to resume fighting after a potential truce, Netanyahu pushed back firmly.
“We were told, ‘You will not return to war,’ after the first ceasefire—and we did return,” he reminded viewers in a video message. “We were told the same after the second—and we did. Now they’re saying it again. Do I need to say more?”
U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged progress in the talks, telling reporters at the White House, “We’re getting very close to a deal on Gaza.” However, Netanyahu insisted that no external party—not even the United States—can decide when Israel’s war will end.
“Only when Hamas is disarmed, Gaza is demilitarized, and Hamas no longer rules will we declare victory,” Netanyahu said. “Until then, the war goes on.”
Hamas Resistance to Withdrawal Terms
Negotiations remain stuck on key issues—most notably, Hamas’s demand that Israel withdraw from Gaza during the ceasefire. Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim told AFP that Hamas would not accept “perpetuation of the occupation” or continued Israeli military presence, particularly in the strategic southern city of Rafah and along the Morag Corridor.
But Jerusalem is unmoved. “We will not give up strategic security control for illusions of peace,” an Israeli official close to the talks said Thursday.
Hostage Releases: “Not Everything Is in Our Hands”
Netanyahu acknowledged the pain and complexity of the hostage situation. “We want to get everyone out in one fell swoop,” he said, but added that Hamas is dictating the terms of who is released and when. “We are dealing with a cruel terrorist organization… not everything is in our hands.”
Nevertheless, he assured families that every hostage is considered “humanitarian,” and that none will be deprioritized. “All are in critical condition after 643 days in captivity,” he told relatives in a Washington meeting.
According to reports, the initial agreement may involve the release of 10 living and 18 dead hostages—a painful but significant first stage.
Ceasefire Is Not the End
While the talks in Qatar continue, Netanyahu reiterated in his Thursday video statement that any 60-day ceasefire is not a sign of surrender or finality. Rather, it is a tactical window—an opportunity to recover hostages and, if necessary, prepare for the final military push.
“If this can be achieved through negotiations—that’s great,” he said. “If not, we will achieve it in other ways—by using force, the force of our heroic army.”
Paying Tribute While Preparing for Battle
During his visit, Netanyahu also attended a memorial service at the Israeli Embassy in Washington for slain staffers Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, who were murdered in a May terror attack. He told attendees that President Trump, after seeing a photo of the couple, had remarked, “What a beautiful couple.”
Netanyahu’s remarks turned personal. “The agony of losing a brother is great,” he said, referring to his fallen brother Yoni. “The agony of losing a son is greater,” he added, honoring Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, whose son fell in battle against Hamas.
Standing before a memorial plaque made from fragments of an Iranian missile and affixed with a mezuzah, Netanyahu drew a stark contrast: mourning the fallen, but preparing for decisive victory.
Netanyahu’s Message: Victory, Not Containment
To both allies and adversaries, Netanyahu’s message was firm: there will be no peace without Hamas’s defeat.
“Only the total dismantling of Hamas—its weapons, its rule, its ideology—will end this war,” the prime minister said. “Anything less invites the next massacre.”
He concluded, “If Hamas lays down its arms, this ends today. If not—we finish the job.”
Bibi states that iran would not hesitate to wipe out Israel if iran had nuclear bomb. Israel should NOW not hesitate to wipe out hamas with nuclear bombs and iran also, if necessary.