Shortly before the resumption of indirect negotiations on a hostage agreement in the Gaza war, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that Israel must have the right to continue fighting against Hamas until all war goals have been achieved.
This demand, which was published by the Prime Minister's office, has been met with considerable criticism and sparked nationwide protests, according to ntv.
Thousands of Israelis, including relatives of the hostages, demanded Netanyahu's resignation and a successful conclusion to the negotiations at demonstrations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
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Talks on a Gaza agreement brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States are scheduled to continue this week in Cairo. A step-by-step plan drawn up by the US is on the negotiating table.
Despite signs of progress, Hamas is showing more flexibility and is deviating from its core demand that Israel must first commit to ending the war.
Netanyahu, on the other hand, insists that Israel can resume fighting to achieve its war aims. The mediators are trying to find language to bridge the differences.
The negotiations should also include the release of hostages and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners.
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office said Israel would seek to maximize the number of live hostages to be released and would not allow armed fighters to return to northern Gaza.
