Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a statement said that Israel was "one step away from victory" in the Gaza war and vowed there would be no truce until Hamas frees all hostages. He was speaking in a cabinet meeting marking six months of the war that broke out on October 7 after an unprecedented attack on Israel by Hamas militants.

"We are one step away from the decisive victory," Netanyahu said. "But the price we paid is painful and heartbreaking." He was speaking as truce talks were expected to resume in Cairo with international mediators, he said: "There will be no ceasefire without the return of hostages. It just won't happen."

He stressed that "Israel is ready for a deal, Israel is not ready to surrender". "Instead of international pressure being directed at Israel, which only causes Hamas to harden its positions, the pressure of the international community should be directed against Hamas. This will advance the release of the hostages."

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden in a phone call with Netanyahu demanded an "immediate ceasefire" and hinted at making US support for Israel conditional on curtailing the killing of civilians and improving humanitarian conditions. 

Israel has faced a storm of international outrage over the killing of seven aid workers of the US-based food charity World Central Kitchen in a Gaza air strike on April 1.

Netanyahu meanwhile accused Iran of being behind several attacks against Israel "through its proxies namely Hamas and Hezbollah". "Anyone who hurts us or plans to hurt us -- we will hurt him. We put this principle into practice, all the time and in recent days," Netanyahu added.

However, Iran has started preparations to attack Israel and it has informed about the possible action through its UN-designated diplomat in US. 

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a statement said that Israel was "one step away from victory" in the Gaza war and vowed there would be no truce until Hamas frees all hostages. He was speaking in a cabinet meeting marking six months of the war that broke out on October 7 after an unprecedented attack on Israel by Hamas militants.

"We are one step away from the decisive victory," Netanyahu said. "But the price we paid is painful and heartbreaking." He was speaking as truce talks were expected to resume in Cairo with international mediators, he said: "There will be no ceasefire without the return of hostages. It just won't happen."

He stressed that "Israel is ready for a deal, Israel is not ready to surrender". "Instead of international pressure being directed at Israel, which only causes Hamas to harden its positions, the pressure of the international community should be directed against Hamas. This will advance the release of the hostages."

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden in a phone call with Netanyahu demanded an "immediate ceasefire" and hinted at making US support for Israel conditional on curtailing the killing of civilians and improving humanitarian conditions. 

Israel has faced a storm of international outrage over the killing of seven aid workers of the US-based food charity World Central Kitchen in a Gaza air strike on April 1.

Netanyahu meanwhile accused Iran of being behind several attacks against Israel "through its proxies namely Hamas and Hezbollah". "Anyone who hurts us or plans to hurt us -- we will hurt him. We put this principle into practice, all the time and in recent days," Netanyahu added.

However, Iran has started preparations to attack Israel and it has informed about the possible action through its UN-designated diplomat in US.