Sa’ar says Israel ready for ceasefire’s 2nd phase, says aid funds Hamas terror

Speaking to international press in Jerusalem, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar says that Israel is “ready to continue to phase two” of the ceasefire with Hamas, but demands the release of more hostages to keep the ceasefire going.

“We are ready to continue to phase two,” says Sa’ar, “we will come with our positions which are probably different from the positions of Hamas. But in order to extend the time of the framework, we need an agreement to release more hostages.”

“No free meals is a very known principle,” says Sa’ar.

He also says the Hamas terror group’s main source of funding is now humanitarian aid flowing into the Strip, defending Israel’s decision to halt the delivery of goods into the enclave.

“Aid that goes to Hamas is not humanitarian,” Sa’ar says. “Unfortunately, Hamas takeover of goods turned it into an economic engine for them. It became the number one budget income for Hamas in Gaza. They use that money for terror, to restore terror capabilities and get more young terrorists to join their organization.”

He plays a clip of then-US President Joe Biden said on October 18, 2023, “if Hamas diverts or steals the assistance, they will have demonstrated once again that they have no concern for the welfare of the Palestinian people and it will end. As a practical matter, it will stop the international community from being able to provide this aid.”

Hamas, says Sa’ar, also shoots civilians trying to access aid, and use it “as an engine in their war against Israel. This can not continue and will not continue.”