 Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar speaks during a Security Council meeting at UN headquarters in New York City, US, August 5, 2025. (Photo: REUTERS) |
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told reporters in Jerusalem that conflict could end immediately if Hamas released the remaining hostages being held in Gaza and laid down its weapons.
In response, senior Hamas official Basem Naim told Reuters it would not lay down its arms but would release all of the hostages if Israel agreed to end the conflict and withdraw its forces from Gaza, a stance that has long been the Palestinian militant group's position.
Israel last month launched an assault on Gaza City, the major urban centre, and its forces are now just a few kilometres from the city centre.