Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet that there is "no point" in discussing the second phase of the ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas because it is a "hypothetical issue at the moment," Israel's Channel 13 reported on Wednesday, citing a senior security officer.
"Leadership must know how to put the national interest before personal sorrow," Netanyahu said during the cabinet discussion, according to the report. The official cited in the report also confirmed that there are no negotiations taking place at the moment and that Netanyahu and ministers discussed the possibility of continuing military action in Gaza in case the hostage deal falls through.
The Israeli prime minister previously warned that the ceasefire deal may be terminated if Hamas does not release the hostages that are scheduled to be released on Saturday.
