CNN —Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the idea of starting a ceasefire in Gaza while Hamas remains in power, after The New York Times published an article citing six current and former security officials who said a truce would give Israeli troops time to prepare for a potential land war with Hezbollah. The officials, most of whom spoke anonymously to “discuss sensitive security matters,” also said a truce would be the most effective way to secure the release of the Israeli hostages. We will not capitulate to the winds of defeatism, neither in The New York Times nor anywhere else. “They (the IDF) understand that a pause in Gaza makes de-escalation more likely in Lebanon,” Hulata told the Times. When asked by the Times if it supported a truce, the IDF released a statement that didn’t answer the question directly.

---

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, ”, Eyal Hulata, Netanyahu, “, ” Hulata Organizations: CNN, Israeli, The New York Times, Former Israeli National, Times, Israel, IDF, Hezbollah Locations: Gaza, Israel, defeatism, The, Israel’s, Lebanese, Lebanon