Netanyahu Refuses Safe Passage for Hamas Elements Stuck West of the 'Yellow Line'

SadaNews - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to allow safe passage for about 200 Hamas members stuck west of what is known as the "yellow line", in an area controlled by the Israeli army, to regions inside the Gaza Strip from which the occupation forces have withdrawn.

This was reported by the newspaper "Haaretz" citing an Israeli political source on Monday, who justified the decision by adhering to the resolution of disarming Hamas and stripping the Gaza Strip of weapons.

According to the newspaper, the source said, "The Prime Minister continues his firm stance calling for stripping Hamas of its weapons and disarming the Gaza Strip, while thwarting terrorist threats against our forces".

The newspaper added that the source's remarks came following reports published yesterday that Israel is considering a proposal from mediating countries, which stipulates allowing Hamas members to leave the area under Israeli army control to deeper into the Gaza Strip.

According to the report, the source clarified that Netanyahu made his decision after pressure was exerted on him by coalition parties, led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

"Haaretz" noted that Ben Gvir announced this morning that he addressed Netanyahu with a "demand to kill or imprison" the 200 Hamas members located west of the "yellow line".

Ben Gvir said, "This is an opportunity to eliminate them or arrest them, and not to release them under ridiculous conditions." The newspaper mentioned that these individuals were stuck in the area under Israeli control after a ceasefire agreement came into effect.

Informed sources have indicated that among the solutions proposed was to transfer these members by Red Cross vehicles into the Gaza Strip, noting that Hamas expressed its agreement to this proposal.