Netanyahu rejects Hamas' ceasefire demands, including release of 1,500 Palestinians for hostages

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday rejected Hamas' ceasefire proposal, which included the release of 1,500 Palestinians, including 500 serving life sentences, in exchange for about 130 men, women and children kidnapped by the terrorist group on Oct. 7, 2023. 

Netanyahu expressed confidence that Israel's operation in Gaza will be over in months. "We are on the way to an absolute victory," he said, according to The Associated Press. 

Not all of the hostages are believed to still be alive.

"Hamas' answer was formulated so that Israel would refuse it," Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said before Netanyahu's press conference, per The Jerusalem Post. "Its position will lead to the continuation of the war and send our forces to other places in Gaza soon."

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