Netanyahu rejects Hamas cease-fire demands, vows to fight until ‘absolute victory’

By MATTHEW LEE, WAFAA SHURAFA and SAMY MAGDY
Associated Press

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected Hamas demands for a cease-fire and vowed to press ahead with Israel’s military offensive in Gaza until achieving “absolute victory.” Netanyahu made the comments Wednesday shortly after meeting the visiting U.S. secretary of state, Antony Blinken, who has been traveling the region in hopes of securing a cease-fire agreement. Netanyahu added that the operation would last months, not years. He ruled out any arrangement that leaves Hamas in full or partial control of Gaza. He also said that Israel is the only power capable of guaranteeing security in the long term.