Netanyahu rejects ‘surrender’ to hostage deal pressure

Credit: Manuel Lopez

Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to “surrender” to pressure to agree a hostage deal or end the Gaza war, dismissing widespread protests in Israel as he doubled down on his main demands for a ceasefire.

In a defiant late-night press conference, Israel’s prime minister insisted on a long-term military presence along Gaza’s border with Egypt, even as international mediators and his own security chiefs warn that it would hold up a deal to free hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

The uncompromising tone came after a day of disruption across Israel during a general strike called to express public anger at Netanyahu’s failure to secure a hostage deal.