Israel reserves 'right to resume war if necessary' with US support, Netanyahu says

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that Israel reserves the right to resume fighting in Gaza with US support, as he pledged to bring home all hostages held in the Palestinian territory.

"We reserve the right to resume the war if necessary, with American support," Netanyahu said in a televised statement, a day before a ceasefire is set to take effect.

Recommended For You

Australian Open: Defending champion Keys gets off to shaky start

UAE President, PM Modi announce 'House of India' museum, discuss regional tensions

UAE: AD Ports acquires Spain's Balenciaga Astilleros Shipyard to fuel global expansion

UAE contributes $5 million to support emergency humanitarian response in Sudan

Sheikh Mohammed announces UAE tops global government trust index

 

"We are thinking of all our hostages ... I promise you that we will achieve all our objectives and bring back all the hostages.

Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.

"With this agreement, we will bring back 33 of our brothers and sisters, the majority (of them) alive," he said.

He said the 42-day first phase, which starts on Sunday, was a "temporary ceasefire."

"If we are forced to resume the war, we will do so with force," Netanyahu said, adding that Israel had "changed the face of the Middle East" since the war began.

ALSO READ: