Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked US President Donald Trump for “putting intense diplomatic pressure on Hamas” following the Gaza ceasefire. Netanyahu said the next stages would see “Hamas disarmed and Gaza demilitarized,” rejecting claims that the deal could have been reached earlier.
“At this stage, we are focused on rescuing our hostages,” he said, calling it a “sacred duty.” Netanyahu also praised Trump’s “world leadership” and expressed gratitude to Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as well as Israeli officials, while noting that challenges still remain.