Michelle ThompsonPresident Isaac Herzog claims that Israel is “not at war with the Palestinian people, but with Hamas.”
President Isaac Herzog stated Tuesday that Israel is ready for a second humanitarian halt in Gaza to achieve the release of Hamas hostages.
“I can reiterate that Israel is ready for another humanitarian pause and additional humanitarian aid to enable the release of hostages,” Herzog said during a conference with 80 diplomats.
“The responsibility lies fully with [Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya] Sinwar and the leadership of Hamas,” he said in a statement.
During a previous humanitarian halt last month, Hamas released 84 Israelis and 24 foreigners in return for 240 Palestinians held in Israeli jails, including 71 women and 169 children.
According to Herzog, Israel “was not at war with the Palestinian people, but was fighting its enemy Hamas.”
Hamas had no response to the Israeli president’s remarks.
According to health officials in the enclave, Israel’s air and ground operations on the Gaza Strip since the Oct. 7 Hamas offensive have killed at least 19,667 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, and injured 52,586 others.
Gaza has been devastated by the conflict, with half of the coastal territory’s housing stock damaged or destroyed and almost 2 million people displaced within the densely populated enclave amid food and potable water shortages.
The Hamas onslaught is thought to have murdered about 1,200 Israelis, while more than 130 captives remain in captivity.
