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Israel Rejects U.S. Request for "Pause"; No Truce before Hostages Are Freed

(Times of Israel) Emanuel Fabian - U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday confirmed that during a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday he asked Israel to "pause" the fighting in Gaza against Hamas. The Walla news site reported that in their call Monday, Biden tried to convince Netanyahu to agree to a three-day humanitarian pause, which would begin with the release of 10 to 15 hostages. Netanyahu responded on Tuesday evening, telling "our enemies and our friends alike...there will not be a ceasefire without the return of our kidnapped." He also said no fuel would be allowed into Gaza before the hostages were freed. Netanyahu noted that he appreciates the support from the White House and from the American people. Israel estimates that Hamas currently holds 180 hostages, Palestinian Islamic Jihad holds 40, and unaffiliated mob families hold an additional 20, complicating negotiations significantly. An Israeli official said the contacts of the Qatari mediators trying to arrange the release of hostages are largely with Hamas political leaders abroad who have largely been sidelined by the group's military leaders in Gaza.
2023-11-08 00:00:00
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