Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said on Sunday that Israel had failed to achieve its goal of defeating Hamas, as the movement was still "in power in Gaza."
Sa'ar denied that US President-elect Donald Trump forced Israel to conclude a ceasefire agreement and release detainees in Gaza, saying: "Trump did not force Israel to do anything in the Gaza agreement."
But the Israeli foreign minister did not deny that the participation of Trump's representative Steve Witkoff in the ceasefire negotiations was "very influential."
He added that the release of Palestinian security prisoners from Israeli prisons is painful and risky.
The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which was announced last week after Egyptian, Qatari and American mediation, went into effect early this morning.
Hamas said earlier today that Israel is expected to hand over a list of 90 names of Palestinian prisoners expected to be released on the first day of the agreement. The agreement stipulates the release of 30 Palestinian prisoners for each hostage held by Hamas.
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Sa'ar: Trump did not force Israel to sign ceasefire agreement in Gaza