Netanyahu: early elections in Israel will only benefit Hamas

On Sunday, March 31, Benjamin Netanyahu issued a special statement regarding the operation in the Gaza Strip, disagreements in negotiations with Hamas, and commented on demands for early elections.

Netanyahu praised the actions of the Israeli army during the operation at Shifa Hospital. He highlighted the elimination of dozens of militants on the hospital grounds, along with the detention of hundreds of terrorists and voluntary surrenders to Israeli soldiers. "Nowhere in the world do hospitals resemble those in the Gaza Strip," Netanyahu remarked.

"The pain and suffering of the families of the abducted is our shared pain," the prime minister stated, reaffirming the government's commitment to returning all abducted Israelis from captivity.

He also noted ongoing negotiations with Hamas amidst the military operation in Gaza, emphasizing the necessity of military pressure on Hamas to secure the release of the hostages.

Netanyahu disclosed that the operation in Rafah had been approved, emphasizing its importance despite the time it will take. "There is no victory without an operation in Rafah and the destruction of Hamas there," he emphasized.

Regarding mass protests in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, Netanyahu asserted that "now is not the time to call for early elections." He expressed concerns that such elections would paralyze Israel for at least six months, leading to the cessation of the Gaza operation and negotiations. Netanyahu cautioned that the only beneficiary of early elections in Israel would be Hamas.