Benjamin Netanyahu will undergo hernia surgery in the next few hours. This was announced by the Israeli prime minister's office.
The surgery will take place under general anesthesia, and Justice Minister Yariv Levin will take over as interim head of government during the operation.
Shortly before, however, Netanyahu spoke at a press conference about the talks with Hamas which, according to him, was "hardening its positions". Hamas, he explained, is calling for the uncontrolled return of Gazans to the north of the Strip, "including terrorists". The prime minister then addressed the citizens who are calling for early elections: «They would paralyze the country for 8 months, the hostage negotiations and would put an end to the war before reaching our objectives. And Hamas would be the first to celebrate."
A leader of the Palestinian faction also speaks: Hamas still considers the positions between the movement and Israel "too distant" to "make progress" in the negotiations on a truce in Gaza. “I doubt there will be any progress in these negotiations because the positions are too far apart,” the official said. «Netanyahu – he added – is not serious and is not interested, and the American administration does not exert any real pressure».
(Unioneonline/D)
