Israel’s PM tells Hamas to surrender – 15 December 2023

THE prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, has told Hamas fighters to surrender as the war in Gaza continues.

Israel is fighting Hamas, the group that controls Gaza. It is classed as a terrorist group by the UK. As First News went to press, Israeli tanks were inching closer to the centre of the city of Khan Younis, where Israel says Hamas leaders are hiding.

Mr Netanyahu says dozens of Hamas fighters in Gaza are “laying down their weapons and handing themselves over”. He’s told the rest of them to do the same.

He said: “It is the beginning of the end of Hamas. I say to the Hamas terrorists: it’s over. Don’t die for Yahya Sinwar [the leader of Hamas]. Surrender now.”

Hamas has denied that its fighters are surrendering, and warned that none of the 138 prisoners it’s still holding in Gaza will leave alive unless Israel agrees to its terms for a prisoner exchange.

The UN is struggling to deliver aid (like food, water or medicine) to civilians in Gaza due to the fighting. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called it a “humanitarian catastrophe” and warned: “Without shelter or the essentials to survive, I expect public order to break down soon due to the desperate conditions.”

However, Qatar, a country that is talking to both Israel and Hamas, says another ceasefire (a pause in the fighting, like there was in November) is looking unlikely.

Published Friday 15 December 2023

Picture credit: Getty