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Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen says returning the remaining 59 captives is a top priority, but that there will be no agreement on the second stage of the ceasefire if Hamas is left intact in Gaza, Al Jazeera reports.
“Our demands are clear,” Cohen, a security cabinet member, told Israeli public broadcaster Kan.
Cohen said Israel was in a stronger position to negotiate now than it was on the eve of the ceasefire because it has full backing from the US administration of President Donald Trump, which this month began shipping heavy bombs.
