Netanyahu says intense phase of Gaza war nearing end amid pressure for cease-fire

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "the intense phase of the war against Hamas is about to end," after which the Israel Defense Forces will shift its focus toward Lebanon in the north, as the Israeli leader faces pressure to agree to a cease-fire in Gaza.

"It doesn’t mean that the war is going to end, but the war in its current stage is going to end in Rafah. This is true. We will continue mowing the grass later," Netanyahu told Israel's Channel 14 during a one-on-one interview Sunday, CNN reported.

He said during the interview that he is ready to make a "partial deal" with Hamas, which would return some of the hostages being held in Gaza, but stressed that Israel would continue until it achieves its "goal of eliminating" Hamas.

Netanyahu's comments sparked outrage from the families of hostages, according to The Associated Press.

The prime minister's office sent out a statement after the interview to clarify Netanyahu's stance.

"It is Hamas which opposes a deal, not Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu has made it clear that we will not leave Gaza until we return all 120 of our hostages, living and deceased," the prime minister's office said. 

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