Israel: No concessions over Gaza until security returns

On Sunday in Cairo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will not be forced to make concessions to Hamas over Gaza. Ahead of the weekly cabinet meeting, he warned that any deal must put Israel’s security needs first.

“If Hamas thinks its defeat on the battlefield will be papered over by a victory at the negotiating table it is mistaken. If Hamas thinks that by continuing the sporadic shootings [of rockets at Israel] it will make us agree to concessions it is mistaken. While there’s no silence [peace] in Israel, Hamas will continue to suffer hard hits,” Netanyahu said.

On Saturday Hamas spokesman Osama Hamdan said: “Israel must accept the demands of the Palestinian people or face a long war.”

euronews.com

Thousands of Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv on Saturday calling for a diplomatic solution to the conflict. Protesters chanted slogans such as ‘Jews and Arabs refuse to be enemies’ and demanded an end to Israel’s occupation of the Gaza Strip. Five weeks of hostilities have seen more than 2,000 people – mostly civilians – killed.

A five-day cease-fire runs out on Monday.

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