Netanyahu open to possible extension of pause in war in Gaza Strip

(Patria) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after a telephone conversation with US President Joe Biden that he is open to a possible extension of the four-day humanitarian pause in the Gaza Strip, provided that up to ten additional hostages are released daily, the TAAS agency reported.

In a video address released by his office, Netanyahu said that he discussed with the US president the release of another group of hostages from the Gaza Strip in what he described as a "very emotional" conversation.

"Moreover, I want to say that we have a way to release ten more hostages every day. This is a wonderful thing," the Israeli prime minister said.

He noted, however, that after the pause ends, Israel intends to return to carrying out its military operation in the Palestinian enclave in any case.

"In addition, I told the president (Biden) that after the agreement ends, we will return with full force to achieving our goals: eliminating Hamas, ensuring that Gaza does not return to what it was, and, of course, freeing all our hostages," the Israeli prime minister said.

"I am confident that we will succeed in this task because we have no other way," Netanyahu added.