(JNS) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a recent closed meeting about the hostages that fighting in Gaza would resume following any ceasefire agreement with Hamas, according to a report on Monday on Channel 12‘s website.

“If there is a deal—and I hope there will be—Israel will return to fighting afterward. There’s no reason to obscure or conceal this because resuming fighting is intended to complete the war’s objectives. This doesn’t obstruct a deal; it encourages one,” the news outlet quoted the premier as saying.

The Prime Minister’s Office declined to comment on the report, which also claimed that some negotiators have expressed concern over Netanyahu’s stance, because Hamas demands international guarantees for the later stages of an agreement. The terrorist group has previously insisted on an end to the war and the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

Jerusalem’s three war goals are to eradicate Hamas as a military and political body, bring all of the hostages home and prevent Gaza from re-emerging as a security threat to Israel in the future.

Negotiations for the release of 34 hostages remain stalled due to Hamas’s refusal to release 12 individuals, instead offering to return their bodies, a Palestinian source told Kan News on Monday.

According to the source, Netanyahu has rejected this proposal.