'No way' Israel will halt war in Gaza until Hamas is defeated, says Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said there is “no way” Israel will halt its war in Gaza, even if a deal is reached to release more hostages.

His comments are likely to complicate talks on a new ceasefire that had seemed to gain momentum after Hamas released the last living American hostage on Monday in a gesture to US president Donald Trump, who is visiting the region but skipping Israel.