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Netanyahu treatened Hamas to return all hostages while also warning that Israel will open “gates of hell” in Gaza if all captives are not returned.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (AP Image)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday threatened to open “gates of hell” in Gaza if Hamas does not free all hostages. His remarks came after he met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jerusalem.
He also thanked US President Donald Trump for assisting in the release of three more hostages on Saturday and said that his country was working “in full cooperation and coordination” with the Trump administration.
“We have a common strategy and we can’t always share details of this strategy with the public. We can’t share when the gates of hell will be opened, as they surely will if all our hostages are not released until the last one of them,” Netanyahu said.
He also vowed to eliminate Hamas’ military capability and its “potential rule in Gaza”.
Netanyahu further said that he had a “very productive discussion” with Rubio on various issues, “none more important than Iran”.
The Israeli Prime Minister said that he is eyeing “finishing the job” against Iran with American support.
“Over the last 16 months, Israel has dealt a mighty blow to Iran’s terror access under the strong leadership of President (Donald) Trump and with your unflinching support, I have no doubt that we can and will finish the job,” he said, adding that there can “never be a nuclear Iran”.
Rubio said that Iran must never have nuclear weapons and called the country the biggest cause of instability in the region.
“There can never be a nuclear Iran because it would make the country immune to pressure and action. That must never happen,” Rubio said at the joint press conference.
He also stated that Hamas “must be eliminated.”
“Hamas cannot continue as a military or government force. They must be eliminated,” he added.
(With inputs from agencies)
- Location :
Jerusalem, Israel
