Netanyahu says no ceasefire without release of Gaza hostages

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel would not agree to a ceasefire after six months of war against Hamas in Gaza until the hostages being held in Gaza are released. The remark was made at the start of a weekly cabinet meeting, held on Sunday.

Netanyahu said that despite growing international pressure, Israel would not give in to "extreme" demands from Hamas, which sparked the war on Oct. 7 with its deadly attack on southern Israel.