"Netanyahu Insists on Hostage Release for Ceasefire, Despite Mounting Calls"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the idea of a general cease-fire in Gaza without the release of hostages, stating that military pressure is necessary to deal with Hamas. While President Biden and his administration have been pressuring Israel for temporary humanitarian pauses in the fighting, no agreement has been reached. Netanyahu also discussed the future of Gaza, indicating that Israel will have an overall security responsibility for an indefinite period after the conflict ends. The Biden administration is engaged in ongoing discussions about Gaza's future governance, emphasizing that Hamas cannot be in control, but no decisions have been made yet.