Status: 09.11.2023, 19:21 PM
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Smoke rises from the Gaza Strip after an Israeli attack. © Ilia Yefimovich/dpa
Intransigence in the crisis: No ceasefire without the release of the hostages, according to Tel Aviv. "None. No possibility," it is also said from Washington.
Tel Aviv - The Israeli government is insisting that there be a ceasefire with Hamas only in exchange for the release of hostages held by the Islamists. "The fighting continues and there will be no ceasefire without the release of our hostages," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement.
US President Joe Biden sees no chance of an early ceasefire in the Gaza war. Asked if there were any prospects, Biden said: "None. No possibility." With regard to the situation of the hostages held by the Islamist Hamas, the US president said that he was still optimistic.
The U.S. government rejects a general ceasefire over the situation in the Gaza Strip, arguing that this would only play into the hands of Hamas and give the group time to reposition itself for further attacks. Earlier, however, the White House announced that Israel would introduce daily four-hour "humanitarian pauses" in the fighting in the northern Gaza Strip and announce them three hours in advance.
Netanyahu's office referred to an escape corridor for civilians in the Gaza Strip from the north to the south, where Israel is currently promising people safe passage for a few hours a day. On Wednesday, 50,000 people had used the escape route, it said.
The Israeli military had earlier pointed out on the online platform X that there was no ceasefire, but "tactical, local pauses for humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza." Dpa