Netanyahu rejects permanent ceasefire plan

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he is open to a "partial deal" with Hamas that allows him to continue the war on Gaza after some of the captives are released.  

A deal that permanently ends the war was not an option until Hamas is "eliminated," he told Channel 14 on Sunday. 

Eliminating Hamas is a goal believed unachievable by the Israeli military and many experts.

Netanyahu's comments appeared to contradict several top US officials, who for weeks said Israel agreed to an outline presented by President Joe Biden in May, which leads to a permanent ceasefire. 

"I'm not prepared to end the war and leave Hamas in place. I am prepared to do a partial deal, that’s no secret, that would return some of the people to us," the premier said in the TV interview. 

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