Mike Thompson

Well, Hamas still seem to be pushing and mediators are pushing for some resolution to this. Israel says it too wants to have a ceasefire again and that it wants at least half of the hostages released. So far, Hamas has only said it will release around five, including an American hostage, which is particularly aimed at President Trump. But yes, meanwhile, the fighting is continuing.

Well, Hamas still seem to be pushing and mediators are pushing for some resolution to this. Israel says it too wants to have a ceasefire again and that it wants at least half of the hostages released. So far, Hamas has only said it will release around five, including an American hostage, which is particularly aimed at President Trump. But yes, meanwhile, the fighting is continuing.

People are dying, large numbers of them children, as we've been hearing today from UNICEF.

People are dying, large numbers of them children, as we've been hearing today from UNICEF.

The Palestinian Red Crescent says that just over a week ago, an ambulance was sent to pick up casualties from an Israeli airstrike in Rafah City. A support ambulance dispatched to help was shot at, killing two paramedics inside. A convoy of vehicles, including more ambulances, were then sent to the scene. They too came under fire.

The Palestinian Red Crescent says that just over a week ago, an ambulance was sent to pick up casualties from an Israeli airstrike in Rafah City. A support ambulance dispatched to help was shot at, killing two paramedics inside. A convoy of vehicles, including more ambulances, were then sent to the scene. They too came under fire.

The Red Crescent says eight of its members were killed, along with six civil defence workers and at least one United Nations employee. The UN has described the incident as a flagrant and severe disregard of international law.

The Red Crescent says eight of its members were killed, along with six civil defence workers and at least one United Nations employee. The UN has described the incident as a flagrant and severe disregard of international law.

I'm going to start off with asking you,

I'm going to start off with asking you,

Well, ostensibly because Hamas, it says, has refused to extend the ceasefire to mid-April, which is what Israel wanted. And that's part of an American proposal, which also involved releasing five living hostages. But of course, Hamas is saying, look, we want to go straight to phase two. That had already been agreed. But there are other reasons, too.

Well, ostensibly because Hamas, it says, has refused to extend the ceasefire to mid-April, which is what Israel wanted. And that's part of an American proposal, which also involved releasing five living hostages. But of course, Hamas is saying, look, we want to go straight to phase two. That had already been agreed. But there are other reasons, too.

If Prime Minister Netanyahu was to agree to a permanent ceasefire, which would be all part of a phase two discussion, he risked then getting members, far right members of his cabinet. leaving, resignations from them which could unseat his government. He's also facing corruption charges himself. These would then come more to a head.

If Prime Minister Netanyahu was to agree to a permanent ceasefire, which would be all part of a phase two discussion, he risked then getting members, far right members of his cabinet. leaving, resignations from them which could unseat his government. He's also facing corruption charges himself. These would then come more to a head.

Members of his top aides are also facing different allegations in terms of supposed suspect connections, ties with Qatar. And there would also be a reckoning at the end of the war for his role in how October 7th, 2023 came about, which so far he's not admitted any responsibility for. So from what you're saying, has this actually strengthened Mr Netanyahu's hand? Well, yes, in many ways it has.

Members of his top aides are also facing different allegations in terms of supposed suspect connections, ties with Qatar. And there would also be a reckoning at the end of the war for his role in how October 7th, 2023 came about, which so far he's not admitted any responsibility for. So from what you're saying, has this actually strengthened Mr Netanyahu's hand? Well, yes, in many ways it has.

And of course, at the moment, he has the very firm backing of President Trump, which he didn't have in the same way from President Biden. So he, you know, as I said before, you know, this all does suit his current situation. And when you look, in fact, at the situation now facing Hamas, now, if they were to agree to release all

And of course, at the moment, he has the very firm backing of President Trump, which he didn't have in the same way from President Biden. So he, you know, as I said before, you know, this all does suit his current situation. And when you look, in fact, at the situation now facing Hamas, now, if they were to agree to release all

all the hostages, which the Americans have said they should be doing, President Trump has said they should be doing. And that would then put them in a position where Israel would come at them anyway, because Prime Minister Netanyahu has said that eliminating Hamas is one of the major war goals, as well as getting hostages back. So what hope now for NEC's fire? It seems over, isn't it?

all the hostages, which the Americans have said they should be doing, President Trump has said they should be doing. And that would then put them in a position where Israel would come at them anyway, because Prime Minister Netanyahu has said that eliminating Hamas is one of the major war goals, as well as getting hostages back. So what hope now for NEC's fire? It seems over, isn't it?