Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have discussed over the phone efforts to release hostages in Hamas captivity and Israel’s renewed assault on Gaza. "The two discussed regional developments, including the release of Israeli hostages and the resumption of fighting in Gaza," said a statement from Netanyahu’s office, adding that Rubio has expressed US "unwavering support for Israel and its policies".
Israel has launched new air and ground assaults in Gaza since the start of this week, effectively ending a two-month ceasefire, IANS reported, citing Xinhua news agency. On March 26, Netanyahu repeated threats to seize territory in the Gaza Strip if Hamas failed to release the remaining hostages it still holds, Reuters reported.
"The more Hamas continues in its refusal to release our hostages, the more powerful the repression we exert will be," Netanyahu told a hearing in parliament. "The more Hamas continues in its refusal to release our hostages, the more powerful the repression we exert will be," he added.
Meanwhile, Egypt presented a new proposal to Israel and Hamas aimed at restoring the Gaza ceasefire deal, two informed Egyptian security sources told Xinhua, IANS reported.
Israel resumed strikes in Gaza on March 18 after its ceasefire deal with Hamas that began on January 19 unraveled. Israeli forces subsequently launched ground operations across southern, northern, and central Gaza.
