In Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that aceasefire would not be considered until all 240+ hostages, taken by themilitant Palestinian group Hamas during their attacks on October 7, werereturned. Netanyahu made this stance clear during his address at the Ramonair force base in southern Israel, emphasizing the longstanding position ofthe Israeli government.
Netanyahu added that this message was directed at both friends and foes,reiterating their commitment to continue the conflict until Hamas isdefeated, 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 urgedhim to persuade Israel to agree to a ceasefire.
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Simultaneously, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for an immediateceasefire during his meeting with Blinken in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.