Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday firmly rejected calls for a ceasefire with Hamas, as Israeli troops continued to expand operations on the ground.

“Just as the United States will not agree to a ceasefire after the bombing of Pearl Harbor or after the terrorist attack of 9/11, Israel will not agree to a cessation of hostilities with Hamas after the horrific attacks of October 7.

“Calls for a ceasefire are calls for Israel to surrender to Hamas, to surrender to terrorism, to surrender to barbarism. That will not happen,” said Mr Netanyahu. 

Quoting the bible, Mr Netanyahu told journalists, “The Bible says that there is a time for peace and a time for war. This is a time for war, a war for a common future.” 

He called on all civilised nations to stand with Israel in demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages and in drawing a line between the forces of civilisation and the forces of barbarism.

“It is a time for everyone to decide where they stand,” said Mr Netanyahu.

Earlier on Monday, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said a female Israeli soldier taken hostage by Hamas on October 7 was freed during the deployment of ground forces in the Gaza Strip.

Israel’s army heralded a new phase in the war against the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip at the weekend.

In addition to massive airstrikes, Israeli ground forces advanced deeper into the territory.

(dpa/NAN)