Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for the complete disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip with "no delay" as the next phase of Israel’s ceasefire deal, during a special Knesset session with the prime minister of Albania on Monday.
The remarks came shortly after the IDF located the remains of slain hostage St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili, in northern Gaza.
Gvili was held by Hamas since the October 7 attacks and was the last hostage to be returned by the terror group as part of the first stage of the ceasefire deal.
“We have brought home a hero of Israel, the late Ran Gvili. There are no more hostages in Gaza,” Netanyahu announced to the plenum.
The prime minister said Israel was ready for the next stage of the ceasefire.
“We have an interest in advancing this stage and not delaying it. The sooner we act, the sooner we will complete the objectives of the war,” he added.
Gaza Plan to start next stage
“The next stage is not reconstruction,” Netanyahu emphasized as he called for the complete disarmament of Hamas.
“Our heroic soldiers are defending the State of Israel with extraordinary courage,” Netanyahu said.
“The capabilities of the axis of evil are far weaker than they were on the eve of the war. Hamas in Gaza will be disarmed. Gaza will be demilitarized."
“This will happen. As our friend [US President Donald] Trump said, the easy way or the hard way,” Netanyahu added.
Netanyahu also said that Israel will “continue to stand vigilant against any threat from Iran.”
“Any attempt by Iran to harm us will be met with a decisive response. It would be a very grave mistake, one mistake too many,” he said.