In Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that a ceasefire would not be considered until all 240+ hostages, taken by the militant Palestinian group Hamas during their attacks on October 7, were returned. Netanyahu made this stance clear during his address at the Ramon air force base in southern Israel, emphasizing the longstanding position of the Israeli government.
Netanyahu added that this message was directed at both friends and foes, reiterating their commitment to continue the conflict until Hamas is defeated, with no other alternative in sight.
On the international front, foreign ministers from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates gathered in Amman, Jordan. During their meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, they urged him to persuade Israel to agree to a ceasefire.
Simultaneously, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for an immediate ceasefire during his meeting with Blinken in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.